Christopher Pyne heckled by protesters during Longman by-election campaigning

Christopher Pyne has had to overcome a group of protesters in Queensland today, while campaigning for Saturday's Longman by-election. 

The Defence Industry Minister had to appeal to the placard-wavers to be allowed to have a say, before he could begin a media conference in Caboolture, north of Brisbane. 

A small but rowdy group chanted "money for schools and hospitals not millions for big banks" throughout the conference. 

In danger of being drowned out Mr Pyne, standing beside Longman candidate Trevor Ruthenberg, asked for a fair go. 

"The journalists need to be able to do their jobs too," he said. 

"I don't mind you protesting. That's part of democracy, your right to free speech. 

"It's also my right to answer questions and the get the message out. 

"Why don't we have the press conference, respectfully, and then you can go back to your sloganeering." 

The protesters did eventually fall silent and allowed the minister and candidate to proceed.

The altercation comes as Labor's Anthony Albanese and Susan Lamb were also campaigning in Longman,  holding a media conference at Narangba train station north of Brisbane.

Earlier, Opposition deputy leader Tanya Plibersek conceded people are growing tired of the long-running campaigns.

"I know people are driven crazy by by-elections. Nobody wanted to go through this, I can tell you," she said.

The electorate of Longman is on a knife edge going into Saturday's bout and could well be won by the government, bucking a 100-year drought.

Preferences from One Nation's candidate Matthew Stephen will be crucial to determine whether the Liberal National Party's Ruthenberg can defeat Labor's Lamb.