Former prime minister Tony Abbott's main rival for the Sydney seat of Warringah believes the "Tony effect" is turning voters off the coalition and the trend is measurable.

Independent candidate Zali Steggall says an 11 per cent swing to the Greens in the safe Liberal seat of Manly in the recent NSW election shows there's a mood for change.

"I tend to call it the 'Tony effect' because I think there's that impact of what the federal Liberal coalition has done," Ms Steggall told AAP.

The Winter Olympian turned barrister argues that while James Griffin retained Manly, which covers similar ground to Warringah north of Sydney Harbour, there was dissatisfaction evident in the result.

"We didn't have any strong independents and as a result, the votes for Labor and Green were higher (on March 23)," the lawyer said.

Traditionally, there's a stronger independent vote at the federal level.

"We've also had quite a divisive vote, with too many candidates (in the

past)," Ms Steggall said.

"We don't really have this situation this time around."

She says people are excited to have a real choice in 2019 and she's prepared for the race to get dirtier once the federal election is called, likely on Sunday.

"It will get dirty because that's his (Mr Abbott's) style of politics," the independent said.

"I won't be surprised when it is. I don't have any illusions."

Ms Steggall believes fearmongering by many politicians has depressed voters, leaving them uninspired.

"Sadly, I think there's a whole generation of politicians that have ... lost their way.

"They are lacking imagination and they think the only way is to fearmonger, oppose and offer the least worst option to the public."

The candidate most likely to end Mr Abbott's 25-year hold on Warringah believes New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has given the world a "masterclass in class" following the Christchurch terror attack.

Ms Steggall was speaking on Friday at a FutureWomen and Twitter event (hashtag)HerVote alongside federal Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, and other candidates.

Southwestern NSW Liberal MP Sussan Ley defended Mr Abbott's record at the event.

"I have enormous respect for Tony Abbott," she told the crowd.

"He's an extraordinary individual and extraordinary Australian.

"In raising up women, let us be very careful that we don't get to a point of idiocy and innuendo about some of our really important guys."