Scott Morrison insists Malcolm Turnbull's son urging voters to dump Liberal MPs won't distract him after Bill Shorten admitted the intervention surprised him.
Alex Turnbull has teamed up with left-wing activist group GetUp! to make the calls which target Health Minister Greg Hunt, a key backer of Peter Dutton, in his Victorian seat of Flinders.
"We need more people who want action on climate change. This election don't give the Libs your vote," the son of the former prime minister says in the message.
Mr Morrison said he wouldn't be distracted by the calls, which have also targeted conservative MP Kevin Andrews.
"They are going into the electorate of Flinders where Greg Hunt has served as that member for many years," the prime minister told the National Press Club in Canberra.
"He's served his community well and tirelessly."
Mr Shorten said he didn't see the intervention coming, but couldn't resist a dig over last year's brutal leadership spill which ended Mr Turnbull's political career.
"Mind you, I don't think his dad saw ScoMo coming," he told 2Day FM on Thursday.
The Labor leader faced further questions about Alex Turnbull outside a dumpling restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Burwood.
"This government has run out of ideas. It's rapidly running out of time," Mr Shorten told reporters.
He said there was a mood for change, listing a lack of climate change action - one of Alex Turnbull's key gripes - among his reasons.
