Casting a protest vote for the Greens in inner city electorates in the coming state election will make the Coalition’s job easier, according to Labor leader Bill Shorten.

But a Greens candidate hit back on Wednesday afternoon, saying the high primary votes his party won in the inner city at the previous state election were more than just a protest.

Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek talk to students at Brunswick North West primary school on Wednesday. Credit:AAP

Campaigning on Wednesday in the state seat of Brunswick, where Labor is under considerable pressure from the Greens, Mr Shorten conceded his party was in a “very tough fight”.

The ALP’s federal leader appeared at Brunswick North West Primary School with State Education Minister James Merlino to announce $6.2 million in state funding for a new sciences, technology and arts building.