Newman and Palaszczuk set for debate

Premier Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk are looking forward to debating each other before Queensland voters head to the polls on January 31.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott (R) and Queensland Premier Campbell Newman

Tony Abbott (R) could soon join Queensland Premier Campbell Newman on his election campaign. (AAP)

A public showdown is imminent between Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk, with both leaders agreeing to face off at a public forum before the Queensland election.

Premier Newman, campaigning on law and order issues on Monday, was asked if he'd commit to a people's forum-type event, where both leaders would field questions from voters in the audience.

"I'm very happy to debate the leader of the opposition because she has no plan - we do," Mr Newman said.

"I'm afraid for the Labor party, every day since last Friday, the choice is becoming stark and crystal clear for Queenslanders."

Mr Newman was referring to Labor's fiscal strategy, which will use dividends from assets marked by the Newman government for privatisation to pay down debt.

The Liberal National Party (LNP) says those dividends are already used to pay down interest on the state debt and Labor's plan would leave a $1.3 billion hole in the budget.

Ms Palaszczuk fired back, saying she's looking forward to debating Mr Newman in a people's forum setting.

"Because he will have to answer how he will fill the $2 billion revenue black hole in his budget once he sells off Queenslanders' assets," she told AAP.

"Hopefully this time the premier will tell the truth, as opposed to the 2012 debate when he said nothing about the 24,000 job cuts or his record fire-sale of state assets."

It's understood both sides are in negotiations, however a date for a debate between the leaders is yet to be set.

While campaigning in Brisbane, Ms Palaszczuk also criticised Mr Newman's big-spending election promises on the back of plans to lease about $37 billion worth of public assets.

"He had a big bucket of money, they're spending like drunken sailors at the moment," she said.

"They're spending money all based on asset sales."

In Ipswich, Mr Newman made a raft of law and order promises, including more iPads for police, three new rapid action hubs and $22 million to upgrade police intelligence systems.

He'll start Tuesday campaigning on the Gold Coast while Ms Palaszczuk will host Labor's official campaign launch in Ipswich.

Queenslanders go to the polls on January 31.


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Source: AAP


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