Advertisement

Olympian Zali Steggall joins the push to oust Tony Abbott from Warringah

Backers say champion skier and Manly lawyer Zali Steggall can banish Tony Abbott's "divisiveness".

Backers say champion skier and Manly lawyer Zali Steggall can banish Tony Abbott's "divisiveness". Photo: ABC

Australia’s most successful alpine skier, Zali Steggall, has formally announced she will stand as an independent in former prime minister Tony Abbott’s Sydney seat of Warringah in the next federal election.

Ms Steggall, who is a barrister and long-time Manly resident, has had her bid endorsed by the locally-based “Vote Tony Out” group.

Spokesman Mark Kelly said Mr Abbott’s 24 years as a local member had been long enough.

“The Vote Tony Out group has been running since October last year,” he said.

“She [Ms Steggall] is a very rounded local and will be a fantastic candidate for Warringah.

“She is not a divisive candidate like Tony Abbott.”

Mr Kelly said Ms Steggall would bring some sensible politics to the table.

A four-time Winter Olympian, Ms Steggall won a bronze medal in slalom at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.

Her Olympic career extended from 1992 until 2002.

Queen of the slopes Zali Steggall during her Olympics heyday. Photo: AAP

Mr Abbott has held the seat of Warringah since 1994, and in the last federal election there was a 2 per cent swing towards him.

Mr Abbott has been contacted for comment.

He tweeted this morning that the Australia Day weekend was not one for “heavy politics”.

“I’m going to keep pushing for the northern beaches tunnel to beat the traffic jams and for a safe a prosperous Australia as part of a good government.”

Education Minister Dan Tehan told Sky News he thought Mr Abbott would “put a very strong case forward to the people for Warringah based on his track record”.

“People underestimate what Tony does within the community, for the community. They underestimate his ability to campaign,” he said.

“There was talk before the last election that Tony might have been in trouble in Warringah, [but] he was re-endorsed by the voters there quite strongly and I’m sure he’ll be prepared to put a very strong case again to his electorate.”

-ABC

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.