The big issues in the Qld campaign

WHAT THE QUEENSLAND ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS FOCUSED ON:

ASSET PRIVATISATION

The LNP government has pledged to lease public port and power assets for at least half a century in return for $37 billion. Money would go towards cutting debt and raising money for infrastructure. The plan has been met with public outrage, and crossbenchers have vowed to block its introduction. Labor has campaigned loudly against asset privatisation, after its crushing 2012 defeat.

ECONOMY

Queensland has the highest debt level of any state at $80 billion, and recorded a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.1 per cent in December. Premier Campbell Newman promised to bring the state's unemployment rate to four per cent in six years. The LNP has chalked up about $6 billion worth of promises, mainly big-ticket infrastructure pledges, backed by its plan to lease state assets. But Labor has committed to less than $1.6 billion worth of election promises, mainly for extra teachers and nurses, without losing any state assets. Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk did her side's economic credentials no favours when she was unable to tell a breakfast radio quiz what the GST rate was.

LEADERSHIP/TEAMS

Newman has refused to be drawn on who will lead if he loses his seat of Ashgrove to Labor's Kate Jones, who is tipped to win. If there is a Plan B, the LNP isn't telling anyone about it - but the party has been spruiking its "strong team" line throughout the campaign. Palaszczuk, who was elected leader from the seven Labor MPs left after the 2012 disaster, has struggled to cut through via the media, but has done well when meeting ordinary people. Federally, Prime Minister Tony Abbott was a no-show in Queensland for the month of January, but Opposition Leader Bill Shorten made nearly a dozen appearances, leading to some claims he was propping up Labor.

LAW AND ORDER

Labor started the campaign with a policy to repeal the LNP's controversial anti-bikie laws. However, it has now promised to have an independent task force review the laws and decide whether to keep some aspects of them. The backflip has angered the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties.

MISSING

HEALTH/EDUCATION

Normally stalwarts of state election campaigns, health and education have largely flown under the radar this time. The LNP has committed to improving education, including major reforms in indigenous literacy. However, Labor has attacked the government over changes to TAFE funding and pricing structures. The AMAQ says it has been underwhelmed by both sides' commitments to health. The AMAQ had concerns about the lack of commitment to tackling the obesity epidemic, improving care for dying Queenslanders and updating departmental IT systems.