An advertisement showing a Tony Abbott impersonator refusing to help a drowning swimmer has been condemned as "abhorrent" and "desperate".
Left-wing activist group GetUp, which is aiming to unseat the former prime minister in Warringah, released the advertisement on Tuesday evening.
In the video, an actor playing Mr Abbott as a lifesaver remains sitting on the beach chomping on an onion, as a woman begs him to help a swimmer in trouble.
The woman on the beach tells him "someone's drowning" and appeals to him to "do something".
But the fake Mr Abbott responds: "I think you'll find the science isn't settled on that".
The phrase mirrors Mr Abbott's recent response to a question about climate change.
"Why should we act first. I think I have given you the response you deserve," he continues.
