The re-election of Jamie Briggs in the seat of Mayo is crucial to Malcolm Turnbull's returning as prime minister, the PM says.
Mr Briggs, who lost his job as a minister over a misbehaviour scandal, faces a tough fight to save his South Australian seat in the wake of a rise in support for the Nick Xenophon Team.
Mr Turnbull told reporters at Mount Barker on Friday, where he announced a $3.75 million plan for a regional sports hub, the return of Mr Briggs was crucial.
"The only way we can be certain of being returned to government and I can be certain of continuing to be prime minister after July 2 is if Jamie Briggs is returned as the member for Mayo," Mr Turnbull said.
"There is a direct link between holding our seats and returning to government."
Asked whether there were strings attached to the project funding, Mr Turnbull said the only condition was his government being returned.
A ReachTEL survey of 681 residents on May 16 for activist group Getup found just under 40 per cent intended to vote for Mr Briggs.
News Corp reports he's trailed by Nick Xenophon Team candidate Rebekha Sharkie with 23.5 per cent support, followed by 18 per cent for Labor and 10 per cent for the Greens.
Senator Xenophon told reporters in Melbourne that despite the positive polls for Ms Sharkie, it was still going to be a "very tough" campaign for his party.
"We are still a very low-budget operation in the scheme of things," he said.
Share
