James Mathison Is Running Against Tony Abbott In Warringah (And Maybe Has A "Pathway" To Victory)

Twist!

Former Australian Idol host– and current rabblerouser - James Mathison has announced his intention to run for Tony Abbott’s seat of Warringah this election.

Mathison kicked-off his candidacy as an independent (somewhat questionably) with a Zach de la Rocha quote on Twitter. (Thankfully, political views and not musical tastes are not being evaluated this election.)

You said it pic.twitter.com/s0F5GiolVj

— James Mathison (@jamesmathison) May 27, 2016

Someone has to hold our leaders to account. Our politics is broken. Only a strong independent movement can change the system. Let's do this.

— James Mathison (@jamesmathison) May 28, 2016

Though the former PM has held the seat of Warringah since 1994, some observers indeed see a possible “pathway” to victory for Mathison. (It involves him snagging preferences from the Greens, Labor and other independents, and keeping Abbott from getting more than 50 per cent of the primary vote.)

If he gets a net 15% off Abbott he could probably do it. Pulls Abbott to 45%, Greens vote gets Mathison to 30%, plus Labor gives him 50%.

— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) May 28, 2016

Earlier this month, Mathison was arrested while trying to stop the 130-year-old Moreton Bay figs on Anzac Parade in NSW from being felled.

At the very least, it established Mathison’s bona fides as a disruptor. This election, Mathison is campaigning heavily on the issues of climate change, asylum seekers and same-sex marriage.

He explained his transition to politics with MTV Australia on Friday:

(Mild coarse language warning.)

"I know it's weird, there's the guy from the TV entering politics and entering a campaign against Tony Abbott … it makes no sense, but it kind of does," he said.

"We know the system is broken. We know young people are completely ignored and locked out and think their vote doesn't count, that they're disenfranchised, that they have no voice to be heard and that's exactly what the major parties want.

"My idea is that we go 'No, our voice does count'… let's rock the boat; let's rattle the cage.”

Tony Abbott is yet to chime in on Mathison’s candidacy, but Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has not been shy with her endorsement.

"I love independents, you go for it James, go give him a run for his money," she said to Channel Nine.

"Put those budgie smugglers on and give Tony Abbott a run. You know what? I wish him the best of luck, I really, really do.”

Photo: Twitter / Facebook.