Josh Frydenberg blitzing Sydney seats despite bare knuckle fight in Kooyong

His swings through other must-hold or must win-seats in Sydney, for events ranging from campaign launches to business breakfasts to factory visits, underscore the popularity of the treasurer relative to Morrison.

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The prime minister, in comparison, has visited 19 seats across the country in the first 12 days of the campaign in every state (but neither territory) including Gilmore, Parramatta (twice), Macquarie, Lindsay (twice), Corio, Bass, Kooyong, Chisholm (twice), Reid, Fremantle, Cowan, Swan, Boothby, Bonner, Longman, Petrie, Forde and Blair.

It’s likely both men have attended other events, too – typically fundraisers – which the media would not be alerted to.

Eight of the prime minister’s visits have been to must-hold or must-win seats in Queensland and Western Australia and several of his events have been alongside Frydenberg.

That’s because, unlike in 2019 when Morrison was a relative clean skin new to the public, he now has more baggage after three additional years as prime minister.

Before the election was called, Coalition strategists signalled plans to deploy senior ministers such as Frydenberg, Dutton and other senior ministers alongside the prime minister to emphasise the government’s team, soften Morrison’s sharper edges and blunt Labor’s personal attacks on the leader.

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