'I intend to lead Labor': Shorten

Bill Shorten says he intends to lead Labor no matter what may be the results of five by-elections.

Campaigning in Brisbane on Tuesday, the federal opposition leader took aim at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for "already surrendering" by not fielding Liberal candidates in two of the five by-elections on July 28.

Asked whether he would stake his leadership on retaining the Queensland seat of Longman, Mr Shorten told reporters: "First of all, by-elections come and by-elections go. We've got the best candidates and we've got the best policies."

He added: "I intend to lead Labor. You guys want to talk about personalities, that's your choice. I want to talk about the issues that affect people.

"If you ask me what's most important about the by-elections, it's not the internal matters of political parties, it's about getting better health care for Queenslanders."

The latest betting markets have Labor narrowly in front in Queensland's Longman, but comfortably holding Perth and Fremantle, while the Centre Alliance's Rebekha Sharkie is ahead of her Liberal rival in Mayo.

The Liberals are slightly ahead of Labor in the Tasmanian seat of Braddon.