Former prime minister Tony Abbott says that in Australia "we sub-contract too much out to experts already", and that we should not "save our planet at the expense of our neighbour", in comments made in a debate with his independent rival for his seat of Warringah, Zali Steggall.

"Do we want experts to tell us what kind of cars to drive?" he asked the crowd gathered at the Queenscliff Surf Club.

Warringah candidates Zali Steggall and Tony Abbott shake hands ahead of their debate. Credit:AAP

"Do we want experts to tell us how big our cattle herds should be?"

The audience, which was selected by local newspaper Manly Daily and seemed to skew towards Steggall in its sympathy, responded with chants of "Yes! Yes!".