Election campaigning underway for PM and Shorten

Both will deny it, but make no mistake, Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten have flicked the switch to campaign mode.

The election mightn’t be due until May, but both leaders are off and running.

Just to underline the point, and how important Queensland will be, Mr Shorten was back on the Bill Bus and Mr Morrison was in Cairns, announcing new funding for the James Cook University.

The Shorten swing through regional Queensland - and its host of marginal seats - made a pit stop in Maryborough to announce a procurement policy that gives Australian companies priority in tendering for government contracts.

And, he used the event to launch a campaign-style attack on his opponents, accusing them of giving up on governing.

Asked about the list of Coalition MPs who have announced they won’t re-contest the election, Mr Shorten didn’t hold back.

“There is a need for renewal in the government,” Mr Shorten said.

“It is called the Labor Party. We need to renew the whole government.

“They are just a mess. They are disorganised. They are not focused on the people.

“I think the best thing that could happen is if the Australian people re-new the government of Australia.

“We’ve got a government, our government, is not in control of the parliament.

“A government that is not in control of the parliament is not a government.”