Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman hits back at Albanese claims he ‘won’t be seen’ with PM

A Liberal MP fighting a hotly contested race to retain his Sydney electorate has debunked claims he “won’t be seen” with Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the campaign trail.

A Liberal MP fighting a hotly contested race to retain his Sydney electorate has debunked claims he “won’t be seen” with Prime Minister Scott Morrison during the campaign trail.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese used Sunday night’s leaders’ debate to claim North Sydney MP Zimmerman would not be seen with the PM during the lead up to this month’s election.

Mr Zimmerman – who is running against nine candidates including high profile independent Kylea Tink – said Mr Albanese’s comments “were not true”.

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“I’ve made it quite clear the prime minister would be more than welcome in my campaign but he’s got to focus on the battle between Labor and Liberal – that’s his primary focus,” he said.

“He’s a resident of my electorate – he spends a lot of nights at Kirribilli House with his head on the pillow in the middle of the North Sydney electorate so he’d be very welcome to join me.

Trent Zimmerman and Scott Morrison pictured in 2015.

“I’ve been focusing very much on my own grassroots campaign and I’ve had a few ministerial visits – my focus is on me being out and meeting as many voters as possible.”

Scott Morrison has previously denied abandoning Liberals in inner-city electorates at risk of being lost to independent “teal” candidates who are campaigning on issues such as climate action and a federal integrity commission.

Along with North Sydney, Mr Morrison has also not visited Wentworth where Liberal Dave Sharma is facing a contest against independent Allegra Spender.

Mr Zimmerman said while he had not personally asked Mr Morrison to join him on the campaign, he was not trying to distance himself from the Liberal brand.

The comments were made during Sunday’s debate.

“I’m obviously standing as the Liberal candidate, I've been a Liberal member my whole adult life and if you look at my how to vote card that’s quite obvious so I’m not trying to distance myself from the party,

“But I’m also very much my own person and I bring my own values to the role – that’s why I’ve been prepared to stand up on issues like climate change and the religious discrimination act.”

Mr Zimmerman was one of five moderate Liberals who crossed the floor to vote to amend the religious discrimination package to protect trans children, resulting in Scott Morrison abandoning the legislation earlier this year.