Prime Minister Tony Abbott must turn up in Queensland next week, or risk his noted absence detracting from Premier Campbell Newman's campaign, Bill Shorten says.
The federal opposition leader has called on his Liberal rival to leave "witness protection" for the good of his Liberal National Party (LNP) counterparts.
"I think if there's enough pressure on him, he'll have to show up," Mr Shorten said on Monday.
"At a certain point it becomes more than just a passing issue."
He also dismissed the explanation offered by Warren Truss - that Mr Abbott is simply on holidays and would likely make his appearance closer to the January 31 polling day - as party spin.
Nevertheless, Mr Abbott should have been campaigning in Queensland last week and would be under pressure to front up when he returned from holidays next week, Shorten insisted.
"Everyone knows why Tony Abbott's not here," he said.
"It's because he's a vote loser."
Mr Shorten was in Brisbane to champion Labor's commitment to hospitals and education.
His appearance comes after state Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a funding boost of $110 million to improve patient care last Thursday.
The proposal, which is not yet costed, would allow Queensland nurses to maintain a one-to-one nurse-to-patient ratio in intensive care units and at least one-to-four in general wards.
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