Tony Abbott at Church Point: Ex-PM questioned over possible northern beaches COVID-19 lockdown breach

Tony Abbott has been blasted as “disrespectful” after he was questioned – and later cleared – of flouting restrictions on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Tony Abbott has come under fire for allegedly flouting restrictions in Sydney’s northern beaches.

The former Prime Minister, who lives in the southern zone of the northern beaches, has been spotted by business owners and locals cycling and visiting a cafe in the northern half – the epicentre of the latest outbreak which is under the toughest lockdown in NSW.

RELATED: Outbreak fears in Sydney as coronavirus cluster spreads

Labor Senator Kristina Keneally made the revelation in a Twitter post on Thursday.

“At Church Point post office in northern beaches red zone to get our mail and a coffee today (because I live here),” she wrote.

“My neighbours and the cafe owner told me they spoke to Tony Abbott here two days ago. People are not happy. Lockdown rules only work if everyone follows them, Tony.”

At Church Point post office in Northern Beaches red zone to get our mail & a coffee today (because I live here). My neighbours & the cafe owner told me they spoke to @HonTonyAbbott here 2 days ago. People are not happy. #lockdown rules only work if everyone follows them Tony. pic.twitter.com/hPrqbgVwBr

— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) December 30, 2020

Independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall, who ousted Mr Abbott from his seat in the 2019 election, described his actions as “disappointing and disrespectful”.

“Many northern beaches residents have written to me about this,” she told news.com.au.

“The lockdown and separation of the northern and southern zones of the northern beaches has come at a high cost to individuals and local businesses. It is disappointing and disrespectful to the community if Mr Abbott, a former Health Minister, has not complied with health directives to not travel between the zones.”

Former PM Tony Abbott is often seen exercising in the northern beaches. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing addressed the issue during a press conference on Thursday.

Mr Willing said police had investigated the matter and found Mr Abbott was “exercising with another individual”.

“Police responded to that, spoke to the former Prime Minister and formed the view he was not in breach of the health order as it applied at that time,” he said.

“He was out for an lawful excuse exercising with another individual. That was checked and proven to be right.”

But this appears to conflict with the official directive from NSW Health.

RELATED: Police arrest woman who sped through checkpoint

Although residents are allowed to leave their homes for outdoor recreation activities “that supports mental, physical or emotional wellbeing”, the NSW Health website states people are not allowed to move between the two zones.

“Up to five people, including children, may gather outdoors in a public place for exercise or recreational activity (including boating), but everyone must be a northern area resident,” it says.

The rules for residents of the southern zone are similar.

“Up to 10 people, including children, may gather outdoors in a public place for exercise or recreational activity (including boating), but everyone must be a southern area resident,” it says.

Mick Willing from NSW Police said the matter had been investigated. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NCA Newswire

Several social media users raised questions about the apparent double standard.

“Tony Abbott was investigated and not charged by NSW Police because he cycled from the southern to the northern zone of the northern beaches in the pursuit of exercise,” one Twitter user wrote.

“How stopping off for coffee fits into this is just one of many questions that arise from this.”

Another said, “My husband also saw Tony Abbott at Church Point that morning. We live in the red zone in Avalon and my husband was on an early morning ride to West Head – all within our lockdown area. Why is Tones allowed to break the rules?”

As of Thursday the Avalon cluster has reached 144 confirmed cases.

NSW Health and NSW Police have been contacted for comment.

Really don't think it was widely understood at all that you could leave your northern beaches zone for exercise. Tony Abbott did what barely anyone else contemplated

— Natasha Robinson (@NC_Robinson) December 31, 2020

Excellent. Tony Abbott has been cleared on grounds of exercise. Now I can go up to Avalon for a surf with a mate and catch a coffee afterwards. Exercise!

— 💧Michael West (@MichaelWestBiz) December 31, 2020

According to #NSWPolice & #LNP, #TonyAbbott didn’t break the health advice travelling from the south to the Northern Beaches because he was exercising. So anyone who wants to visit the North of the Northern Beaches for a NYE party bring a bike or wear joggers & Lycra & it’s cool

— 💧Elizabeth Marr (@JmarrMarr) December 31, 2020