Malcolm Turnbull is not "Mr Harbourside Mansion" - he's an inspiring Australian rags-to-riches story.
That's the response of Treasurer Scott Morrison to a pointed critique of the prime minister by former Tony Abbott chief of staff Peta Credlin.
Ms Credlin, now a Sky News commentator, said the Turnbull campaign's decision to cancel a street walk in western Sydney on Wednesday made the Liberal leader appear elitist.
"If it's known you're going to do a street walk in Penrith, the last thing you want to do, 'Mr Harbourside Mansion', is look like you don't know and you are not welcome," she said.
Mr Morrison told ABC radio on Friday Ms Credlin was wrong.
"The thing about Malcolm Turnbull is he's someone who started out in a flat with his single-parent dad," he said.
Over the course of his life he had been a great success and worked hard for it.
"His story is one that is, frankly I find, inspirational and I think many Australians do."
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the prime minister was "very much in touch" with Australians.
Ms Credlin also took a dig at local MP Fiona Scott who was peppered with questions about who she supported in the Liberal leadership ballot which brought down Mr Abbott.
Ms Scott should have expected the grilling, given reports of a local backlash against her reported support for Mr Turnbull.
"It looked pretty flat-footed," Ms Credlin told Alan Jones on 2GB radio on Friday.
However, she qualified the scathing assessment saying the prime minister shouldn't be ashamed of promoting his wealth.
"Malcolm lives in Sydney, has a harbourside view and has done well in life," Ms Credlin said.
"Done well, it's something to be proud of."
National's frontbencher Michael McCormack said the election result would put paid to any personal criticism of the prime minister.
"I think Malcolm really needs to win and win well this time to legitimise what we've done as a government since September. He will be a very good prime minister," he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said of Ms Credlin's criticism: "Everyone is entitled to their comments."
Mr Turnbull told reporters in Adelaide on Friday he was focused on jobs and growth.
"Australians know the difference between the government I lead and the government Bill Shorten wants to lead - the government I lead is focused on them."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Turnbull was "out of touch".
"Mr Turnbull is backing in the rent seekers at the top end of town and the property industry, he's backing in the multinationals with billion-dollar tax cuts," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
"His only idea in the last budget was to provide a $17,000 tax cut for someone earning $1 million a year but for someone on $65,000, nothing except cuts to family tax benefit payments."
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