As the Queensland Election campaign enters the second week, the Premier has thrust one issue to the front of the stage – trust.

After fielding more questions about her decision to step back from supporting the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund (NAIF) loan sought by Adani, in the wake of revelations she partner was involved in the application, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the election boils down to integrity.

“That is what this election is fundamentally about, it’s about who you can trust … to lead this state forward,” she said.

“How come when they were last in office when Tim Nicholls was the Treasurer they hand-picked the chair of the anti-corruption watchdog in this state?

“If Tim Nicholls wants to have an integrity debate, I’m happy to have it any day of the week.”

Ms Palaszczuk said it was entirely her decision to pledge that a re-elected Labor government will exercise its right to veto any NAIF funding deal for Adani’s project.

“I am the premier of this state I make decisions,” she said.

“I’ve been sick and tired of people saying ‘You don’t make decisions’.

“What I have said if I’m re-elected, I will send that letter [to the federal government] immediately.

Ms Palaszczuk said he partner was “pretty upset” by the revelations.

“He’s got a family too. I think, people forget he’s got children, he’s got parents and you know I think this has a deep impact on families,” she said.

Labor plans upgrade to M1 between Brisbane, Gold Coast

The Premier was joined by Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey at Oxenford on the Gold Coast for a major announcement about improving the M1 motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Labor’s package includes $25 million to upgrade the Oxenford interchange, $16 million for a business case for future upgrades between Eight Mile Plains and the Logan Motorway and $206 million towards a massive joint proposal.

The federal government’s funding upgrade of the stretch between Varsity Lakes and Tugun may not be feasible until the end of the next term.

“If Tim Nicholls wants to have an integrity debate, I’m happy to have it any day of the week,” says Premier. #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/bw9s6CsGJn

— Josh Bavas (@JoshBavas) November 5, 2017

It follows the opposition’s announcement on Saturday to spend $500 million on duplicating a stretch of the motorway between Stapylton and Nerang.

Opposition spokesman for treasury Scott Emerson criticised Labor’s plan for the M1, saying it will only create more trouble for commuters.

“Everyone who travels the M1 knows it doesn’t matter if you’ve got four lanes or six lanes – if there’s a crash on the M1, you’re going to be stuck in traffic,” he said.

Mr Emerson said the LNP’s promise to build a four-lane motorway section is a viable alternative to alleviate gridlock.

Premier says paid incentives to work ‘good policy’

Ms Palaszczuk said paying train drivers incentives to work during the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is “really good policy”.

Queensland Rail drivers will reportedly be given bonus payments to deter them from being on leave or calling in sick during the event.

Ms Palaszczuk said similar policies have been implemented in past Olympic and Commonwealth games.

The full funding breakdown for the M1 is expected to be revealed on Saturday. Photo: AAP

“It’s to ensure that people are there ready, willing and able to work and then of course they can take their breaks afterwards and I actually think it’s really good policy” she said.

The opposition’s transport spokesman, Andrew Powell, said it is clear the unions are running Queensland Rail.

“The fact that Queensland Rail has to offer come to work bonuses is indicative of a system that is broken,” he said.

Queensland Rail’s (QR) chief executive officer Nick Easy would not confirm the incentive payments.

In a statement he said QR is undertaking “significant planning, including around resources and accommodation, to ensure our teams are appropriately staffed and situated to manage our operations throughout the Games”.

Queensland Rail is under pressure to ensure its involvement in the Commonwealth Games runs smoothly.

A shortage of drivers has seen hundreds of services cancelled or delayed across the network over the last 12 months.

Union ramps up campaign against Nicholls, One Nation

Meanwhile, the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) ramped up its campaign against the LNP and One Nation today as it rolled out statewide television election ads with the catch phrase ‘it’ll be grim under Tim’.

QCU general secretary Ros McLennan said “a vote for One Nation will deliver a government to the LNP”.

The ads focus on jobs in regional Queensland, training and apprentices, as well as the cuts to the public sector in 2013.

“These ads remind voters of the havoc that will come down on the Queensland community if we have a return to the type of government led by Campbell Newman and Tim Nicholls just a few short years ago,” Ms McLennan said.

-ABC