Tony Abbott faces grilling at a Sky News pub test in crucial Warringah electorate

Tony Abbott was answering the final question at an election forum when a woman in the crowd had a biting response.

Tony Abbott was grilled during a Sky News Pub Test on Thursday night in his blue-ribbon seat of Warringah — and despite being given a head start with the absence of his main opponent Zali Steggall, his response to the final question drew an angry response from some punters.

Asked about housing affordability and the cost of living by a young punter who grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches, Mr Abbott divided the crowd when he blamed immigration numbers.

“I think every generation worries about its job security and whether it can afford a house. I certainly worried about it. In the end the best thing a government can do is provide an economy that’s strong … a strong economy maximises job opportunities … and that’s why tax should be low and regulation should be low. Innovation should be encouraged and all the rest of it,” he said before his answer took a turn,” Mr Abbott said.

“(But) you know what’s depressing wages at the moment? You know what’s sending house prices and rent up? It’s immigration.”

A woman yelled from the crowd: “Oh f**k off! You’re a migrant, Tony!”

The woman was referring to the fact Mr Abbott was born in England and emigrated to Australia when he was two years old.

Mr Abbott responded: “Now, I am in favour of immigration. We are an immigrant country. But that doesn’t mean we have to have immigration at the all-time record level we’ve seen over the past decade. I would scale back immigration.”

The response that drew jeers and cheers from the crowd of 100 at the Harbord Beach Hotel in the beachside suburb of Freshwater.

Former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, United Australia Party candidate Suellen Wrightson (middle) and Greens candidate Kristyn Glanville speaking at the Harbord Beach Hotel.

Mr Abbott, the Liberal incumbent, was joined on the panel by The Greens’ Kristyn Glanville and United Australia Party’s Suellen Wrightson at the forum, where they were grilled by voters.

Independent Zali Steggall and Labor’s Dean Harris did not appear at the event, with Ms Steggall telling the Manly Daily she would only attend forums organised by local community organisations.

The seat of Warringah is a key election battleground in Sydney’s northern beaches, where Mr Abbott has been the sitting MP for 25 years. Ms Steggall is the former prime minster’s main competition and her absence was immediately noted ahead of the broadcast.

“Zali! Where is she?” a local yelled out to host Paul Murray as Mr Abbott was ushered up to the panel and greeted by voters with cheers.

Mr Abbott’s immigration comment caused some anger.

Questions from voters focused on local hot button issues such as the Beaches Link tunnel and surf club funding as well as broader issues of free trade, live exports and left-wing activist group GetUp.

The forum was the first of a series of Pub Tests Sky News will air throughout the election campaign. The next will be held in the seat of Bass in Launceston, Tasmania, on Tuesday.

ABBOTT’S COMEBACK TO HOST’S HECKLE GIBE

Tony Abbott backed up his controversial appearance at the Pub Test with another appearance on Sky News this morning with host and news.com.au columnist Laura Jayes.

Speaking from Manly Wharf in the heart of Mr Abbott’s electorate, Jayes pointed out there had been “a few hecklers here this morning”.

“I didn’t know you were so unpopular in this area, Laura,” Mr Abbott quickly responded, before ripping into his trademark cackle.

Jayes followed up by asking whether it was time for the former prime minister to “bow out”.

“Some day, obviously it will be,” Mr Abbott said as a honk from a local blared in the background.

“But I still feel that I’ve got a lot to contribute to our country, a lot to contribute to our party and a lot to contribute to this area.”

.@TonyAbbottMHR joins @ljayes in Manly on Friday morning to discuss his seat of Warringah.

Laura Jayes: There are a few hecklers here this morning, Mr Abbott.
Tony Abbott: I didn't know you were so unpopular in this area, Laura.

MORE: https://t.co/e2R8zKJeBw #Firstedition pic.twitter.com/abVk98mCKz

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) April 11, 2019

Mr Abbott reiterated his support for the elusive Beaches Link tunnel, which would connect the northern beaches to Sydney’s CBD, Chatswood and Macquarie Park business areas, relieving the traffic congestion that strangles the area.

“There is only one candidate in this federal election who is 120 per cent committed to the tunnel — that’s me — and the one thing that is really going to make an important and beneficial difference to the lives of people here that are currently stuck in traffic gridlock is this tunnel.

“It must happen, and I’m the only one who is going to be its champion.”

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Abbott told 2GB’s Ben Fordham his priority was to build the tunnel — regardless of whether he re-elected as the member for Warringah or not.

“I’m never going to retire until this tunnel is built. There’s no way on God’s Earth,” he said.

The long-awaited tunnel is at least five years away on current construction schedules, Mr Abbott said.

The former PM has been the local member for Warringah since 1994, serving the region for a quarter of a century, meaning Mr Abbott could count three decades in parliament if he waits for the tunnel.

Tony Abbott cutting a ribbon to Brookvale campaign office launch. Picture Jonathan Ng

It’s been two months since Zali Steggall, Australia’s most successful alpine skier, formally announced she would take on Mr Abbott at this year’s federal election.

Ms Steggall, who became a barrister after representing Australia four times at the Winter Olympics, officially made the bid on the Australia Day weekend and has been campaigning ever since for the North Sydney seat.

Standing as an independent candidate for Warringah, Ms Steggall is already well-resourced and well-liked.

Mr Abbott knows he’s up for a fight, telling Fordham he was campaigning hard ahead of the May 18 election.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that, at the moment, I’m the underdog,” he said.

“There’s absolutely no doubt that, as things stand, I’m going to be way outspent by GetUp, the Unions and covert Labor operatives coming into the seat.”

Speaking to news.com.au last week about the looming election, locals had varying opinions about their options in Warringah, most admitting while they weren’t a fan of Mr Abbott they still wanted to vote Liberal.

Some of the same locals admitted they were unaware Ms Steggall was even running against him.

“I don’t follow politics, but I definitely won’t be voting Tony,” Chris, a local cafe owner, said.

“I don’t get a good feeling about the man, but I don’t know anything about Zali which makes things difficult.”

Anti-Abbott groups have been active in the former prime minister’s federal seat with the best known — Vote Tony Out group — even throwing its support behind Ms Steggall.

“He’s a dinosaur,” Dr Nick Scott, a Vote Tony Out group member told The Project last week. “And come the election in May, we hope such dinosaurs will become extinct”.

Mr Abbott and Zali Steggall independent candidate for Warringah at a Leadership Summit last month.

Ms Steggall’s idea to first run against the former PM even came from a Vote Tony Out T-shirt.

“I did start with a Vote Tony Out T-shirt, and that was what really got me thinking of where were we going and what choices did the electorate have,” Ms Steggall told The Project.

“People are excited to have a choice, and that you’re there to listen to them.”

In 2016 Mr Abbott won 51.6 per cent of the vote on first preferences alone to easily win the seat. In 2013, when he became prime minister, his first preference vote was more than 60 per cent.

Paul Murray Live airs Sunday to Thursday at 9pm AEST on Sky News.