Howard, Bishop, Shorten campaign in Vic

Former prime minister John Howard is back on the Victorian campaign trail, but Tony Abbott is in Sydney.

Former prime minister John Howard will make another appearance campaigning for local candidates in the Victorian election.

However, current Prime Minister Tony Abbott is so far staying away. He's in Sydney for the commissioning of a new warship.

Instead the deputy Liberal leader, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, is lending Premier Denis Napthine a hand campaigning in the very marginal seat of Bentleigh in southeast Melbourne.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and former premier Steve Bracks are also in Bentleigh campaigning with the Labor candidate, while premier hopeful Daniel Andrews is making an announcement in the same electorate at lunchtime.

Mr Bracks and Mr Shorten took aim at Mr Abbott's failure to appear in Victoria since late last month.

"Tony Abbott does not want to come to Victoria. Tony Abbott and his research shows that his unfair budget and his broken promises are not going down well in Victoria," Mr Shorten told reporters.

Mr Howard will be in the seat of Yan Yean later on Friday helping out Liberal candidate Sam Ozturk.

Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer had to cancel his engagements in Melbourne on Friday following Queensland's wild storms overnight.

"The roof caved in at my daughter's house. I was going to go to Victoria today to campaign, but I have delayed it so I can help her. She's a bit distressed," Mr Palmer told AAP.

Polls are showing Mr Andrews will oust Dr Napthine after only one term of the coalition government.


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