Wentworth frontrunner Dave Sharma insists it's simply a coincidence the federal government announced it could move the Australian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem just days out from a crucial by-election in a seat with thousands of Jewish voters.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday confirmed Canberra was considering the major foreign policy shift, with Labor immediately accusing the government of using the issue to try and win over voters.
"He is just posturing ahead of a by-election that he is desperate to win in order to hold on to a slim majority," opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong told reporters.
"This is a bloke who is prepared to do and say anything to hold on to his parliamentary majority."
Mr Morrison credited Liberal candidate Dave Sharma - a former ambassador to Israel - with putting the embassy issue on the table.
Scott Morrison and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne address the media about moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Source: AAP
"When people say sensible things I think it is important to listen to them, particularly when they have the experience of someone like Dave Sharma," Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
But Mr Sharma was quick to distance himself from the government's
"This announcement has to do with the timing of the UN resolution on which we need to take a position and articulate our views," Mr Sharma told reporters in Sydney.
"I don't think any voters are single-issue voters in Wentworth."
Mr Sharma confirmed he had spoken to the prime minister on several occasions regarding the possibility of moving the embassy to Jerusalem.
The 43-year-old told an election forum on Monday he was open to the idea while his main opponent, independent Kerryn Phelps, dodged the question.
