Federal election day 22: Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten both campaigning in Tasmania

Scott Morrison has tried his best to avoid a Liberal candidate who's been accused of making anti-Muslim comments on social media - but it proved tricky. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION BLOG 

Scott Morrison has tried to dodge an awkward encounter with a Liberal candidate under fire for alleged anti-Muslim posts at an agricultural event in Tasmania.

Lyons candidate Jessica Whelan has strenuously denied the Islamophobic comments, which appeared on Facebook under her name, were written by her.

She has asked for an investigation.

Ms Whelan joined the Prime Minister at Tasmania’s major farming festival AgFest alongside other Liberal ministers, MPs and senators.

The embattled candidate snuck into a presentation ceremony and followed the Prime Minister on a walk through the event.

Reporters tried to ask her questions but she was shielded by Liberal senators Eric Abetz and Wendy Askew.

She received a hug from Mr Morrison's wife, Jenny, while the PM briefly shook her hand. He avoided answering questions before being bundled into a car in heavy rain.

The PM later said during a press conference in Bass, without Whelan there, that he understood the images had been doctored.

Mr Morrison was quizzed as to whether it was likely Whelan was hacked, considering that's what the Liberals said when Christopher Pyne and Greg Hunt were dragged into social media controversies (separately). 

"No. No, I don't think it's hard to believe in this day and age that images can be doctored," he said. 

There was an awkward moment for a Labor candidate today too, with Herbert MP Cathy O'Toole repeatedly dodging questions about whether she supported the Adani coal mine. 

Ms O'Toole was asked about Adani five times by ABC News Breakfast co-presenter Michael Rowland, without giving a straight answer. 

Ms O'Toole did eventually declare her stance on Adani, saying she supported it but did not see a good reason to make a fuss about it. 

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Originally published as Federal election day 22: Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten both campaigning in Tasmania