The Project takes a bitter swipe at federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg after he declined to appear

The Project slammed Josh Frydenberg on Thursday, after the politician declined multiple invites to appear on the news program.

Following a story on Frydenberg’s campaign in the lead up to the election, Project host Waleed Aly announced: ‘The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, joins us now.’

The camera then cut to an empty chair with a mic pack and ear pieces draped over the back of it, before Frydenberg’s name popped up on the screen.

Waleed, 43, explained that the Channel 10 show had repeatedly invited Frydenberg to appear, however he’d declined each time. 

‘During this election campaign we have repeatedly tried to bring the treasurer to the hundreds of thousands of Aussies watching The Project,’ he began. 

‘However, the treasurer has declined each of our eight invitations. We can’t be sure why, the treasurer has had a great relationship with us in the past, but it seems to us he’s just refusing to come on.’

Speaking to the show’s viewers, Waleed added that it was possible Frydenberg, 50, thought they had ‘already made up your minds’.   

‘Or perhaps there are some other reasons he’s worried about appearing. Either way, treasurer, the invitation is open,’ he added. 

‘I’m sure there are Project viewers watching from the seat of Kooyong who would particularly like to hear from you.’

Meanwhile, fellow panelist Lisa Wilkinson said she was ‘surprised’ by Frydenberg’s decision not to appear on the program.

‘All the polls are saying there are plenty of people who are undecided. It could come down to a handful of votes at the end of the day, but it is up to Josh Frydenberg as to whether or not he wants to join us,’ said the 62-year-old. 

Viewers of the show vented their frustration at Frydenberg’s decision not to appear on Twitter, with one person blasting him as a ‘coward’.

‘Josh Frydenberg won’t appear on #TheProjectTV? More like FRIGHTENED-Berg, am I right??’ tweeted another.  

‘Oooooooh snap #TheProjectTV just done an empty chair gig for @JoshFrydenberg because he won’t go on the show…’ wrote one viewer.

Added another: ‘@JoshFrydenberg the *no show* that invite really sounded like a “You are never coming on Channel 10 ever again, not even for charity.” Ouch.’