Labor Leader Bill Shorten likely a no-show in Wentworth until by-election voting day

BILL Shorten has no plans to set foot in Wentworth before Saturday’s by-election after shunning the electorate for the duration of the campaign. The Opposition Leader invoked Alex Turnbull on Sunday to urge voters to send the government a message on climate change and put the Liberals last.

BILL Shorten has no plans to set foot in Wentworth before Saturday’s by-election after shunning the electorate for the duration of the campaign.

The Opposition Leader yesterday invoked Alex Turnbull — son of former Wentworth MP Malcolm Turnbull — to urge its voters to send the government a message on climate change and put the Liberals last.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in Melbourne on Sunday. Picture: AAP

This would effectively hand preferences to Rob Callanan, who Bob Katter disendorsed for his links with a high class Sydney brothel.

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Bob Katter at the launch of Rob Callanan’s campaign for Wentworth before disendorsing him.

The comments come as federal Greens are furious at the party’s NSW branch decision to preference Labor ahead of Kerryn Phelps which internal Liberal polling puts Labor within reach of overtaking the independent candidate and hand the government the seat.

Alex Turnbull, son of former PM Malcolm Turnbull in his video post.

The Daily Telegraph has spoken to several Greens sources angry that the two groups who made the decision had chosen local issues over the broader strategy to put pressure on the government.

Dr Phelps was campaigning yesterday with Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie who the Greens preferenced ahead of Labor at the Mayo by-election in Adelaide in July.

The independent — who Liberal internal polling had at 50 per cent on a two-candidate-preferred basis — hit out at both major parties’ “revolving door of leadership” and their climate change policies.

The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Shorten, who has not visited Wentworth during the campaign, had not scheduled a visit in the final week which was possible after parliament finishes on Thursday.

Independent candidate Dr Kerryn Phelps (right) with Independent Mayo member Rebekha Sharkie. Picture: Jenny Evans

The Liberal candidate for Wentworth Dave Sharma visiting small businesses in Double Bay on Sunday. Picture: Hollie Adams

The Labor leader said the government was being “mischievous” for suggesting it could not govern if it lost the seat.

“Next Saturday night, whoever wins Wentworth, Scott Morrison will still be Prime Minister on Sunday,” he said.

“(Wentworth voters) can send an unmistakeable message which will be heard in Canberra by the Government. If you want to see more action on climate change, put Liberals last.”

The campaign has been targeted by a dirty tricks campaign, with an email recently sent to voters falsely claiming Dr Phelps had pulled out of the campaign for medical reasons and to instead vote for Liberal Dave Sharma.

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