Bill Shorten made no effort to hide the fact he was in Queensland to seek inspiration ahead of this year's federal election.
The unpopular federal opposition leader was in Brisbane on Saturday to address hundreds of Labor volunteers at the party's Fight for Queensland campaign launch.
The event was held almost a year to the day after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk claimed a stunning state election win over Campbell Newman, despite being one of only seven Labor MPs left in the state's 89-seat parliament following a crushing defeat in 2012.
Mr Shorten, who is languishing behind Malcolm Turnbull 81-19 as preferred prime minister according to last week's ReachTEL poll, made it clear he was hoping for a similar political miracle.
"It was called an unwinnable election," Mr Shorten said of the state poll in front of a packed crowd of party faithful.
"In this election year, we've got a hard fight ahead of us (too).
"We are the underdogs.
"Let's enjoy it. We're not denying it."
Mr Shorten spoke of Labor's commitments to improving education, protecting penalty rates, defending Medicare and pushing for marriage equality.
He also attacked Mr Turnbull's "agile, fluid, nimble convictions", calling him the "latest Liberal weathervane" who sold out on climate change, marriage equality and support for a republic.
"Who is he to give up on behalf of Australia?" Mr Shorten asked to raucous applause.
Ms Palaszczuk set the tone for the event, referencing her shock election win last year with a cheery: "Happy anniversary!"
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