Federal election 2019: Climate change behind Tony Abbott’s defeat

CLIMATE change — an issue which has defined many of the major political turning points in the career of former prime minister Tony Abbott — was today behind his electoral defeat as member for Warringah.

Former prime minister and Warringah Liberal candidate Tony Abbott arrives to conceding defeat at Manly Leagues Club in Brookvale, Sydney. Picture: AAP

CLIMATE change — an issue which has defined many of the major political turning points in the career of former prime minister Tony Abbott — was today behind his electoral defeat as member for Warringah.

Mr Abbott conceded defeat to independent Zali Steggall, bringing to a close a 25-year-career as the member for the Sydney northern beaches electorate, which included a three-year tenure as Prime Minister, four years as Opposition leader, and a long period as health minister in the Howard Government.

Mr Abbott narrowly won the leadership of the party in Opposition in a spill ballot against Malcolm Turnbull over the party’s support for an emissions trading scheme.

The Warringah campaign was significantly focused on climate change, with Ms Steggall endorsed by lobby group GetUp in a fierce contest.

In his concession speech, Mr Abbott said while the result was disappointing, “more importantly” the news for the Liberal Coalition was very good.

“I always knew it was going to be tough here in Warringah,” Mr Abbott said.

“I do acknowledge the fierce and ultimately successful campaign that has been waged.

“Tonight we can be extraordinarily confident that we will have continued good Liberal National Government.”

Mr Abbott acknowledged the role of climate change in the Warringah campaign, and said where the issue is fought on moral grounds, the Liberals would not fare well.

But he said where climate change was debated on economic grounds, “the Coalition do well”.

While he lamented the loss in his seat, he reflected on his 25-year political career.

“It’s often said public lives end badly, but I’m not going to let one bad day spoil 25 great years.

“I’m incredibly proud of all that I’ve done, some things would have been done differently and better … but I look back on the last 25 years with immense pride and satisfaction.”