Annastacia Palaszczuk's bid to become Queensland's next premier is off to a slow start after she failed to announce any new policies on the first day of campaigning.
The opposition leader flew to Cairns on Tuesday night, but had to wait until media arrived on Wednesday afternoon before speaking about Labor's employment policies.
Ms Palaszczuk recommitted to resurrecting the former Labor government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, which was scrapped by the Newman government.
She said she decided to speak about the $200 million program again because she felt it did not get the attention it deserved when first announced.
Ms Palaszczuk also chose Cairns to discuss employment. The region's youth jobless rate is about 20 per cent.
The Labor leader was critical of the Newman government's decision to strip Cairns-based regional airline Skytrans of government contracts, which she said would worsen the region's unemployment.
Ms Palaszczuk would not say when Labor would announce new policies or their costings.
However, she rejected suggestions the fact nothing new was announced meant she was caught off guard by Premier Campbell Newman's snap election announcement on Tuesday.
"I'm sorry, what was Campbell Newman's new policy today?" Ms Palaszczuk said.
"I didn't hear any new policy announcements from Campbell Newman.
"I'm running my own race here and I'm here this week to remind people about the savage cuts to jobs and services right across the state."
Ms Palaszczuk spent Wednesday morning spruiking her jobs message on radio in Cairns, while Mr Newman spoke about his government's law and order achievements on the Gold Coast and in Maryborough.
She also used her first stop on the campaign trail to criticise the government's 1 William Street project, which will create a new government skyscraper in Brisbane's CBD.
The money would be better spent in the regions, she said.
Labor hopes to reclaim several seats it lost in the Cairns region during its mammoth defeat to the Liberal National Party in 2012.
The election will be held on January 31.
LABOR'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
- Restore Skilling Queenslanders for Work program
- Establish Jobs Queensland for industry advice on skills needed
- Advance Queensland policy focusing on innovation and local technology
- Ready for Work program to help young people find work
- 25 per cent payroll tax rebate for apprentices
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