Olympian Zali Steggall had a fierce message when questioned about her credentials to take on former prime minister Tony Abbott .
Speaking on Today this morning, Ms Steggall said she’d decided to run against Mr Abbott as an independent in the northern beaches seat of Warringah because of his apparent ignorance towards climate change.
“The electorate really feels unheard. There is real concern that the issues that matter to the people of Warringah are being ignored, in particular climate change,” Ms Steggall said.
Ms Steggall’s shock announcement she was going to run against Mr Abbott, a seat he’s held for more than two decades, has left some questioning how she’s going to do it.
“You say Tony Abbott is out of touch with voters but why would a former Olympics skier be any more in tune with the needs of voters than Tony Abbott,” Today host Deb Knight asked.
But Ms Steggall - who won bronze at the 1998 Winter Olympics - said she was more than just an Olympian.
“Well, I think I have done a little bit more than just be an Olympic skier. I’m a mum. I have teenagers. I’m very aware of the pressures we are under,” Ms Steggall bit back.
“I have been operating my own business for 10 years as a barrister. At the bar I have been practising in commercial law but also in family law.
“In family law we really get to see the pressures people are under and what are the triggers....I know exactly what the people of Warringah are concerned about.”
Mr Abbott is one of a number of federal Liberal Party MPs facing off against strong female independent candidates at the next election as the Coalition continues to be criticised about the lack of women in its ranks.
Ms Steggall launched her campaign against Mr Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah on Sunday alongside dozens of supporters.
Climate change will be one of Ms Steggall’s main policy platforms, and she says the former prime minister’s views do not represent those of the “socially progressive” electorate.
“I am prepared, I am supported and I know the views of the community,” she said.
The former slalom world champion and 1998 Winter Olympics bronze medallist is the third female independent to announce a bid to oust Mr Abbott at the election.
Alice Thompson, a former adviser to Malcolm Turnbull, and indigenous activist Susan Moylan-Coombs will also vie for the northern beaches seat.
And in a sign that Labor MP Emma Husar is still weighing up a bid as an independent, she congratulated Ms Steggall for nominating while spruiking diverse voices in parliament.
“Women flexing, showing what they’re capable away from the old, powerful, male-dominated party structures,” Ms Husar tweeted on Sunday.
“Progressive and sensible policies, not back scratching and repaying old favours.” Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks has also offered her support to Ms Steggall, tweeting: “Australia and Warringah needs strong independent, genuine people like you”.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Dan Tehan doesn’t expect any more of his colleagues to bow out of politics ahead of the election, after three government ministers announced they would step down before the polls.
But MPs won’t be back in Canberra until parliament returns on February 12, which may give them enough time to consider their options, particularly with the first Newspoll of the year expected next weekend.
After wrapping up his Queensland tour last week, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will be in Melbourne on Monday to announce $200 million of small grants to help clean Australia’s rivers.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to head back to Queensland where a number of LNP seats are in doubt for a series of road and rail project announcements.
He told the Courier-Mail on Monday the proposed projects were aimed at reducing congestion, which would in turn cut commute times and giving Australian families more time to spend together.
“This is robbed by urban congestion. We want to give that time back,” he said.
— With AAP
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