Malcolm Turnbull has launched an attack against Labor's Bennelong candidate Kristina Keneally, accusing her of just wanting to further her own political career that will aim to open the door to asylum seekers in a Bill Shorten-led government.
The prime minister was campaigning in the Sydney electorate on Sunday with Liberal candidate John Alexander, who was forced into a by-election when he discovered he had British citizenship.
Mr Turnbull pointed out Ms Keneally, the former NSW premier, wrote an article for The Guardian advocating Australia take the Manus Island refugees.
"(The people smugglers) will see and are seeing Bill Shorten's choice of Kristina Keneally as Labor wanting to throw out the welcome mat for asylum seekers," he told reporters.
In contrast, he described Mr Alexander as a "fantastic candidate" but his election can't be taken for granted.
"John is working hard, we are all working hard to do the best for the people of Bennelong," he said.
Mr Alexander conceded the Bennelong seat will never be a safe seat.
Having started as the underdog when he first won the seat 2010, he said he has increased his margin in each of the subsequent elections by engaging with the community and finding ways to address the issues they may have.
"Bennelong will never be safe and it should be competed for because the incumbent should have to perform to continue with the confidence they might have from the electorate," he said.
