Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has denied activist organisation GetUp's claims he is backing down on his pledge to meet with a former Afghan refugee.
Supporters of GetUp chipped in $16,000 to successfully bid for a surfing lesson and breakfast with the Opposition Leader, as part of a charity auction.
The lobby group put forward Sydney-based former refugee Riz Wakil as the person who would take up the lessons. After the lesson, GetUp had planned for Mr Abbott and Mr Wakil to have breakfast with five refugees.
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The group says Mr Abbott had promised to hold the lessons before the election.
They say Mr Abbott is now refusing to hold up his end of the deal.
But the Opposition Leader's press office has told SBS Mr Abbott will honour his commitment.
No timeframe for the surf lessons was offered, but they indicated it would be unlikely to be held while the election campaign was still running.
Mr Wakil has told SBS he acknowledges Mr Abbott "has a lot on his plate" due to the election, but says the Opposition Leader has had ample opportunity to fulfil the pledge.
"We were promised in June it would happen in a fortnight," Mr Wakil says.
"Honestly, I was hoping to share my story with him to get him to change his mind on refugees."
Mr Wakil says it is hard to believe Mr Abbott's election promises if he fails to keep one he made before the election was called.
GetUp has started a campaign to roll out billboards asking Mr Abbott to keep his pledge to Mr Wakil. By 5pm on Wednesday, eastern time, supporters had pitched in more than $42,500 towards the implementation of this campaign.
Click here to hear Mr Wakil's thoughts on the election, along with other Muslim Australians.
