Former prime minister Tony Abbott is on the campaign trail, but he’s a bit touchy about who knows about it. According to the Daily Liberal in Dubbo (not a party paper), reporters were originally told they couldn’t report on Abbott’s activities in the regional city late last week:

“Mr Abbott is due to arrive in Dubbo by plane sometime on Thursday afternoon.

It is understood he could visit the Dubbo Community Men’s Shed in Victoria Park before the fundraising dinner at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.

He also may still meet with young students who are part of the Clontarf Foundation on Friday morning before leaving Dubbo.

The media were told on Thursday morning they would not have access to Mr Abbott while he was in town.

Mr Abbott, who lead the Coalition to power in the 2013 election will talk about his experience while in office.”

The unbylined piece didn’t hide the paper’s feelings about being snubbed by Abbott, and the next day they were offered a “short interview”. Abbott was in town in support of Nationals MP Mark Coulton, attending a fundraising dinner for the Nationals whip at the local RSL. It’s not clear why Abbott was trying to keep the visit on the downlow.

Feature Image: Mark Coulton’s Facebook Page.