Bill Shorten stayed away from the campaign trail on the final day before five key by-elections but potential leadership rival Anthony Albanese says Labor is focused on beating the government.
Labor is battling to hold onto the Queensland seat of Longman and the Tasmanian seat of Braddon, with polls saying they are too close to call.
Mr Albanese played down Mr Shorten's absence from the campaign on Friday, and as well as his chances of taking over from him if Labor loses the seats on Saturday.
"I think it's very hard to argue Bill Shorten hasn't been out campaigning," Mr Albanese told reporters on Friday.
"Our caucus is focused on one thing and one thing only, and that is beating this rotten government."
Mr Shorten only did one radio interview with a Malcolm Turnbull impersonator on Friday, but will be back on the campaign trail in Braddon on Saturday when the majority of voters go to the polls.
Prime Minister Turnbull took advantage of the opposition leader's absence to highlight potential tensions between the two Labor men.
"Right now Bill Shorten is the man who is missing. I understand that Anthony Albanese might want to stand up today, that could be an alternative," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Brisbane.
No opposition has lost a by-election to the government in 98 years but Labor concede both will be tough battles to win.
"It's not for me to be a commentator but I think we both know that, in reality, Labor should be way ahead in both seats," Mr Turnbull told ABC radio.
Earlier, Mr Albanese refused to say whether he would turn down the opportunity to lead if colleagues asked him.
"It's not happening," he told the Nine Network on Friday.
He didn't reject suggestions he could lead Labor into the next election, saying only that "what I will be is part of the Labor team".
Polls have shown Labor would be performing better if Mr Albanese was at the helm.
"Bill is the leader, Bill will remain the leader," Labor senator Penny Wong said.
Research found Labor's Susan Lamb is ahead of her Liberal rival Trevor Ruthenberg on primary votes in Longman, but One Nation preferences will be decisive.
In Braddon, preferences from independent Craig Garland will be crucial to deciding whether Liberal Brett Whiteley or Labor's Justine Keay wins.
The research by the Voter Choice Project suggests Centre Alliance's Rebekha Sharkie could reclaim her seat of Mayo on primary votes alone against Liberal candidate Georgina Downer.
Labor is set to reclaim the seats of Perth and Fremantle, where no Liberal candidates are standing.
