Queensland Premier Steven Miles calls state election for October

Queenslanders will head to the polls on 26 October. While Labor has won 11 of the past 12 state elections, they face a challenge from David Crisafulli's Liberal National Party.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the plans his government would outline to voters over the coming weeks are "good plans for our state's future". Source: AAP / Darren England

Queensland's election campaign is underway after Premier Steven Miles officially called the state's election on Tuesday morning.

The government went into caretaker mode after Miles visited Governor Jeannette Young, officially starting the countdown to the 26 October poll.

The background: While Labor has won 11 of the past 12 state elections, the Liberal National Party (LNP) appears on track for victory based on consistent polling.

The most recent poll from Freshwater Strategy on Monday had state Opposition leader David Crisafulli's LNP leading Labor by 56 per cent to 44 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.

David Crisafulli's Liberal National Party are leading Labor in the state's election race, according to recent polling. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

The key quote: "Every election in Queensland's really hard, but I'm confident that the plans that we will outline to Queenslanders over the next few weeks are good plans for our state's future." — Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

What else to know: The key state election issues are clear — youth crime, housing, health and cost-of-living pressures.

Crisafulli referred to these issues as the "battle lines" for the election.

What happens now: The leaders of both major parties will go head-to-head in a debate on Thursday.