There are 30 seats in Queensland and the coalition needs to hold its 23 while Labor wants to win some back. CQU VC Nick Klomp has suggestions for both sides.

In a Friday statement Professor Klomp set out some of what CQU needs to help create the 450 000 new regional jobs over five years the prime minister commits to.

In particular, the VC pointed to a new CQU campus in Cairns, funding to complete its Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre in Gladstone and a hydrogen training centre there, plus an electric vehicle and energy training centre in Mackay and a rural-remote health training centre in Rockhampton.

Labor has committed to funding for CQU projects in Cairns, Mackay and Gladstone and there is still plenty of campaigning time for a promise in Rockhampton (CMM April 19).

All centres are in mostly safe conservative seats, with Cairns (in Leichhardt) the most marginal, Warren Entsch holds it with a 4 per cent two-party margin.  Perhaps Professor Klomp hopes the coalition will decide to make them safer by announcing funding for CQU projects.