Heat on Shorten in firefighter stoush

Malcolm Turnbull has thrown down the gauntlet to Bill Shorten over the Victorian firefighters dispute.

The prime minister is goading the Labor leader to back proposed coalition legislation protecting volunteer firefighters across Australia from union takeovers.

Wading further into the politically charged stoush on Thursday, he's set to meet members of the Volunteers Fire Brigade Victoria in Geelong.

The prime minister will reaffirm the coalition's pledge to introduce legislation in the first sitting week of parliament if re-elected to amend the Fair Work Act to allow greater freedoms for volunteers in carrying out their duties.

The government will hope to capitalise on the dispute and its implications for Labor to secure the key seat of Corangamite, held by Liberal Sarah Henderson on a 3.9 per cent margin.

Separately, the prime minister will announce a $20 million jobs and investment package for local enterprises as another sweetener.