Scott Morrison refuses press conference as John Howard calls teal independents ‘anti-Liberal groupies’

Prime minister Scott Morrison at a Liberal party rally at Tumbi Umbi, on the NSW Central Coast, in the seat of Dobell. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, did not take questions from media on Saturday – despite addressing a campaign rally and touring a boating, camping and fishing store for the cameras on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Labor has repeatedly criticised the prime minister for “going missing” on the Solomon Islands security deal with China, with questions raised over when the federal government became aware of the draft security pact.