Ex-ABC duo rally to Aunty's defence

Former ABC radio and television hosts Russell Woolf and Verity James have decided to throw their hats into the Senate election race to "save" their former employer.

The pair will today nominate for next month's Senate election in WA, vowing to fight for the ABC and for the State.

They fear the ABC is being "lined up" by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and needs a strong voice to represent it in Canberra.

James, who worked for the ABC from 1984 until 2011, said it was Mr Abbott's recent accusation that the ABC was taking "everyone's side but Australia's" that sparked her into action.

"It is not," she said. "I believe the ABC is an unbiased news reporting agency that tries to represent all Australians."

Woolf, who began with the ABC in 1997 and left last year, said the national broadcaster was looking vulnerable in the gaze of Mr Abbott.

"I have always loved the ABC - even before I started working for it," he said. "I don't want it to die."

The pair have set up the website saveourabc.com.au where people can register their support.