Opposition Leader Matthew Guy insists he wants Prime Minister Scott Morrison at his side during the Victorian election campaign, even though the two men have kept their distance so far.

Mr Guy visited Ballarat on Monday to spruik the Coalition’s promised cut to regional payroll tax, from 2.425 per cent to 1 per cent, which would be the lowest rate in Australia.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy and his campaign bus. Credit:Jason South

Mr Morrison was also in Victoria, two hours’ drive away at the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, where he announced $154 million in Commonwealth funding for a Geelong "city deal".

Mr Morrison, whose government has fallen further behind Labor according to a new opinion poll, was also a no-show at the Coalition's election campaign launch in Ivanhoe on Sunday.