Tony Abbott has declared the NSW state election result important for the nation and economy.
NSW voters go to the polls on Saturday, with Mike Baird's Liberal-National government expected to retain power despite a swing to Labor.
Election experts predict Labor - led by Luke Foley since January - will pick up 15 to 20 seats, but leave the conservatives with a majority in the 93-seat lower house.
However, coalition strategists fear many voters will base their decision on concerns about the privatisation of the state's electricity assets, on which Labor and the unions have campaigned heavily.
Mr Abbott, whose own federal seat is in northern Sydney, says it is an important election not just for the state but the country and the economy.
"The last thing we need is to elect an L-Plate Labor leader through a protest vote," he said in northern Tasmania, where he was launched the Pollie Pedal charity bike ride.
Australian National University political expert John Warhurst believes the election will be a test for the Liberals and not just in NSW.
The Liberal Party could not afford a mediocre victory, Professor Warhurst said.
"While Mike Baird is likely to be returned, the Liberals really need a big victory.
"Even if Labor don't win, a large swing will give a confidence boost to Bill Shorten, and could be a big problem for Tony Abbott."
Labor has drawn upon voter disenchantment with the prime minister in its campaign.
Mr Baird denied he had deliberately distanced the state Liberals from Mr Abbott, whose federal government has lagged Labor in the polls for almost a year.
"No, the prime minister has been with me on many occasions on this campaign," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
Labor strategist Bruce Hawker told AAP Mr Abbott's comment was a "not so subtle" change of language from his remarks before the Queensland and Victorian elections that they were purely about state issues.
"Privatisation has been the big issue but ... wherever you go Tony Abbott is still rancid," he said.
"Tony Abbott will get no comfort other than false comfort out of any win for the Liberals."
However, he noted that the prime minister's unpopularity appeared to be neutralised by Mr Baird's personal support.
"In Queensland you had a double dose of toxicity," Mr Hawker said of that state's former premier Campbell Newman.
Share
