The former prime minister, Tony Abbott, has announced that he will renominate for preselection in his safe NSW seat of Warringah.
After four months of speculation about whether he will stay in parliament, Abbott has made it clear that he still holds hope of a recall to the Liberal Party leadership.
In a statement released tonight, Abbott said he had been “heartened by the support and encouragement I’ve received to continue to serve the country as a member of parliament”.
Abbott has held Warringah since winning it at a by-election in March 1994. He was prime minister for two years from September 2013 until he was toppled by Malcolm Turnbull on September 14 last year.
Nominations for NSW Liberal preselection close on February 19. A federal election is due by the end of the year.
Statement by Tony Abbott, member for Warringah.
Renomination for Warringah
January 24, 2016
After leaving the prime ministership, I said that I would spend some time talking to family, trusted colleagues and local Liberals about my future. I have been heartened by the support and encouragement I’ve received to continue to serve the country as a member of parliament.
Therefore, I am renominating to represent the people of Warringah for another term as their Liberal MP.
I am proud of my work to establish the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust that has done so much to improve the amenity of former military land on North Head, Middle Head and Georges Heights. Should I be renominated and elected, I am looking forward to working with Premier Mike Baird to ensure that the Warringah Peninsula gets better transport links to the rest of Sydney.
It has been a great honour to serve the people of Warringah for 22 years and I hope to retain their trust and confidence.
