Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has wasted no time getting on the road after firing the starter's gun on the election race, heading straight for regional Queensland.
Ms Palaszczuk travelled to Airlie Beach for her first stop of the campaign on Sunday, the same area which was ravaged by tropical cyclone Debbie earlier this year.
It's also in the marginal seat of Whitsunday, held by the LNP with a razor-thin margin of just 0.6 per cent.
It's the second marginal seat Ms Palaszczuk visited on Sunday, after choosing to kick off her campaign in LNP-held Mount Ommaney in Brisbane's west.
The premier visited a bowls club in the electorate, confirming the poll date of November 25 at the rally of party faithful after visiting the acting governor earlier in the day.
Ms Palaszczuk had previously said the only appointment she had on Sunday was with her nanna, and she was partially true to her word, visiting her grandmother first thing before heading to Government House.
She said despite repeatedly indicating her intention had been to hold the election next year, it had become apparent she needed to call it sooner.
"We need certainty, we need stability for business, and let's not forget next year we have the Commonwealth Games here in Queensland, and I want all eyes focused on Queensland and what we can do," Ms Palaszczuk told reporters.
"I think people want to focus on Christmas and go into the New Year ... and also I need my government continuing to deliver on our commitments."
Ms Palaszczuk spruiked the fact that she had delivered over 90 over cent of her promises from the last election.
Her speech suffered a slight hiccup when anti-Adani protestors rushed the stage, however they were quickly ushered away, with Ms Palaszczuk telling the crowd she believed in the right to protest.
"Under Campbell Newman and Tim Nicholls they shout down protests in this state, they divided Queensland," she said.
"I have been focused on uniting our great state."
Ms Palaszczuk's decision to visit the regions immediately highlights their importance in the coming campaign, with both Labor and the Liberal National Party trying to reach 47 seats and take government outright.
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