Former federal Liberal leader John Hewson says the LNP's decision to direct preferences to One Nation in more than half of Queensland electorates is "short-sighted" and "desperate".
Some analysts say the LNP's decision could help One Nation win seats, raising the prospect of Pauline Hanson's party holding the balance of power.
Professor Hewson, who's now with the Australian National University, says the LNP seems intent on regaining power and worrying about the consequences later.
"I guess the way the LNP is looking at it is 'look let's just get in, and then we'll worry about how that unfolds in time'," he's told ABC radio.
"It is pretty short-sighted, and it's very opportunistic, and it shows a layer of desperation. I don't necessarily support it, but I can understand what they're trying to do."
LNP leader Tim Nicholls was on the state executive that decided to direct the party's preferences to One Nation ahead of Labor in 50 of the state's 93 electorates.
Mr Nicholls has repeatedly refused to say if he would accept One Nation's support to form government. His response to the question that's dogged his campaign has simply been to tell voters to elect a majority LNP government.
On Tuesday he took a swipe at One Nation's policies, saying they totalled more than $18 billion and would send the state further into debt.
When the ABC asked him about the prospect of the LNP, with its free trade, free enterprise culture, having to govern with the help of protectionist One Nation he said: "A majority LNP government won't have those problems."
Labor has seized on Prof Hewson's comments.
"Tim Nicholls needs to say what everyone already knows but he's too scared to say: the LNP stand ready to form a government with One Nation," Labor's campaign spokesman Cameron Dick said in a statement.
"Even a respected Liberal Party elder is now calling him out."
