Elephant in the room protester

A protester dressed as an elephant and wearing red budgie smugglers has attempted to disrupt a press conference held by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in Sydney.

Security officers at the Four Seasons Hotel escorted the man from the hotel prior to Mr Abbott's arrival shortly after 12.00pm (AEST) on Tuesday.

He later identified himself as Ahro Tallon from the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

"Climate change is the elephant in the room," he said.

Mr Tallon continued his protest on the footpath outside the hotel, holding placards that read "Get competitive Tony" and "The Big Health Issue".