Ex-Idol host to stand against Abbott

Television personality James Mathison will stand as an independent candidate against former prime minister Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah.

The 38-year-old will use social media to focus on winning over the youth vote, and highlight what he says are Mr Abbott's broken promises in his 22 years as the MP in the blue ribbon Liberal seat.

"I don't think his stance and the stance of the far right of the Liberal Party reflect the community and that's what we're going to try to tap into," the former Australian Idol host said, the Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday.