Bikie 'cheap shot' defines Queensland leaders' debate

Campbell Newman's "cheap shot" insinuating bikie gangs are funding Labor has defined a lacklustre first leaders' debate of the Queensland election campaign.

Mr Newman was careful not to criticise Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and stay positive about his own plan in his opening address at the people's forum in his electorate of Ashgrove on Friday night.

He almost continued the entire night in the same vein.

Almost.

The final question of the night was to do with a letter from think-tank The Australia Institute sent to all political parties about whether they'll uphold the values of transparency and accountability.

Mr Newman tried for several minutes not to answer why his Liberal National Party didn't respond to the letter, instead trying to spruik his government's achievements in the area.

After an agitated Mr Newman finally relented and said he would support the content of the letter, which had been signed by about 50 prominent Queenslanders, he tried to turn the tables on Ms Palaszczuk.

"So we know that criminal motorcycle gangs are backing you; how do you know they've made no donations to the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) that's coming through to you?", Mr Newman asked.

"Have you got clean money?"

Sky News political editor David Speers, who was moderating the debate, then asked: "Is that a cheap shot?"

Mr Newman replied: "No, it's not."

Ms Palaszczuk went on to say that all donations made to her party over $1000 were declared, but an LNP law change meant that party doesn't declare donations under $12,800.

Mr Speers put Mr Newman's assertion to Ms Palaszczuk, but she brushed it aside.

"That is just ridiculous David," she said, as the crowd burst into laughter.

The rest of the debate was lacklustre with both leaders repeating their prepared lines about their own plans and each other.

Attendees probed the leaders on a number of topics, including nursing staffing shortages, the federal GP co-payment and vegetation laws.

One woman demanded a simple "yes or no" answer from both leaders about whether they'll implement daylight savings in the state and while Mr Newman joked that would be hard for politicians, both said no.

Queenslanders go to the polls on January 31.