Queensland Premier Campbell Newman's campaign has been overshadowed by claims he's a liar and that political donations have influenced his government.
Things aren't any better for Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, as she has been forced to defend Labor's negativity and a lack of substance in her campaign.
Mr Newman came under fire from Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers, who claimed the premier had personally pledged $20 million for extra police for the state's Safe Night Out initiative, but never delivered on it.
"Campbell Newman looked me in the eye and he lied to me," Mr Leavers said.
But the premier hosed down the allegation, saying he understood the money had been delivered.
"Well, I reckon there's some sort of misunderstanding," Mr Newman said in Cairns. "I'm more than happy to sit down with him to clarify that."
It comes after shock jock Alan Jones this week also accused Mr Newman of personally lying to him before the 2012 election by saying his government wouldn't expand the controversial Acland coal mine in Queensland's Darling Downs.
Mr Newman wouldn't comment on the broadcaster's claims, but had to address concerns political donations influenced his government's decision to prove the mine's stage-three expansion last year.
"Of course not, and what we're seeing from the Labor party are the same tactics we saw last time," Mr Newman said, referring to the 2012 campaign.
The questions were in response to reports the expansion's approval was linked to Acland mine's parent company, Soul Pattinson, donating $650,000 to the LNP over three years.
But Mr Newman said the fact he said no to mining magnate Clive Palmer wanting preferential treatment in the Galilee Basin proved his Liberal National Party (LNP) wasn't swayed by political donations.
Ms Palaszczuk's political message also became sidetracked when she denied her campaign was solely aimed at picking up the protest vote.
The Labor leader, who has been criticised by the LNP for her party's lack of policies, rejected claims her sole strategy was to talk up Mr Newman's failings.
"Not at all, I am focused on growing our economy," she said in Brisbane.
Ms Palaszczuk didn't reveal any new policies, but suggested an elected Labor government would take legal action against federal approval to dump dredge spoil on the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Newman unveiled a raft of local promises in Cairns, including $15 million for a new special school and about $9 million for road and bridge upgrades.
The premier was in the city earlier this month to attend the funeral of eight murdered children, but Wednesday was the first time he'd actively campaigned in the region.
The LNP will be looking to retain the electorates of Cairns and Barron River, traditional Labor seats it claimed during its landslide victory in 2012.
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