Olympian Steggall in bid to oust Abbott
Champion skiier-turned-barrister Zali Steggall pulls out climate change big guns as she launches bid to unseat Tony Abbott.
Former world champion skiier Zali Steggall will place climate change at the centre of her campaign to seize the seat of Warringah from former prime minister Tony Abbott, naming environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery as a key supporter.
Announcing her candidacy in the seat this morning, the lawyer and former slalom world champion also aligned herself strongly with the new breed of lower house independents, including supporter Kerryn Phelps, saying she would fight the hard-right Mr Abbott from the “sensible centre” of politics.
Ms Steggall, who is likely to gain support from activist group GetUp!, said she would use her courage and determination
“It’s time for real action on climate change. We want to make sure we lead the economic boom with new technology, renewable energy, and (that) we bring jobs to Warringah.
“I have been consulting with Australia’s leading climate change and economics experts. I’m very lucky to have professor Tim Flannery here today, and he and other experts have agreed to advise me on climate strategy and how we can best achieve the results we need to achieve for Warringah and Australia.”
She said she would release a climate change policy during the campaign, and was also “determined to bring down the price of power” through greater use of renewable energy and hydro storage.
Ms Steggall’s climate change pitch is a direct challenge to Mr Abbott’s history as the leader who dismantled Labor’s carbon tax, his support for new coal-fired power, and his desire for Australia to pull out of the Paris climate agreement.
The high-profile independent candidate also attacked planned Labor tax changes as “policies that create uncertainties or move the goal posts”.
“I am in this to win it,” she told The Sunday Age.
“I want to beat Tony Abbott, who has been a handbrake on Australian progress on many fronts but, particularly, effective action on climate change.”
“I support sensible centre economic policies for a strong, stable economy and will resist proposed changes to negative gearing, franking credits and capital gains tax.” Ms Steggall said in a statement her policy priorities also include the economy, health care, and improving politics.
“People are also worried about the state of politics in this country, the lack of compassion on human rights, how rising congestion is disrupting our commutes, mental health and domestic violence.”
Government minister Dan Tehan said Mr Abbott would put a strong case forward for his re-election.
“People underestimate what Tony does within the community, for the community, they underestimate his ability to campaign,” Mr Tehan told Sky News on Sunday. “There was- talk before the last election that Tony might have been in trouble in Warringah, he was re-endorsed by the voters there quite strongly.”
Mr Abbott’s office said the former prime minister was unavailable to comment on the high-profile challenger today.
But the long-serving local MP said on his Twitter account that he was determined to keep serving his community.
“The Australia Day weekend is not one for heavy politics but I’m going to keep pushing for the northern beaches tunnel to beat the traffic jams and for a safe and prosperous Australia as part of a good government,” Mr Abbott tweeted.
The Australia Day weekend is not one for heavy politics but I’m going to keep pushing for the northern beaches tunnel to beat the traffic jams and for a safe and prosperous Australia as part of a good government.
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) January 26, 2019
On Tuesday, Alice Thompson, a former adviser to Malcolm Turnbull, also announced she would contest Warringah as an independent.
Indigenous activist Susan Moylan-Coombs announced she would run as a candidate in December, while media commentator Jane Caro was also reported to be considering nominating.
The seat has voted conservative since 1922 and Mr Abbott, who first won the seat 25 years ago, holds it with a margin of about 15 per cent.
He faced nine opponents at the 2016 election.
With agencies
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