'This guy has got to grow up': Scott Morrison fires a shot at Queensland's deputy premier as pair engage in war of words over upcoming state election

Scott Morrison has told Queensland's deputy premier to 'grow up' as election tensions escalate.

Steven Miles used a press conference to launch an attack on the prime minister for taking a week off 'running Australia during a pandemic' to campaign for the Liberal National Party in Queensland on Saturday.

Referring to Mr Morrison's trip to Brisbane to join candidate Deb Frecklington on the campaign trail, Mr Miles claimed the trip was redundant because voters will be electing a premier on October 31 - not a prime minister.

The nation's leader hit back and told Mr Miles to 'focus on his job'.

Scott Morrison takes a ride in a Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle during the opening of Rheinmetall Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland on October 11

Steven Miles claimed the trip was redundant because voters will be electing a premier on October 31 - not a prime minister

 'I think this guy has got to grow up,' Mr Morrison said.

'Those careless and juvenile remarks reflect terribly on him.'

The prime minister said he was in the state explaining how the federal government's economic plan was 'going to get to Queenslanders back into work'.

'That may have been something that has escaped Mr ,' he said.

'I'd encourage him to focus on doing his job and, frankly, grow up.'

Mr Morrison said Ms Frecklington would benefit the state because he would work better with her than with the current Labor premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk.

Scott Morrison is assisted by Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington and Karen Andrews MP

But Mr Miles warned she would not stand up to the Morrison government to protect Queenslanders, as Ms Palaszczuk had done during the COVID-19 crisis.

'Yesterday, Scott Morrison tried to pretend he had always supported our border position but he and his government went to the High Court with Clive Palmer to try and drag down our border protections,' he said. 

He also reminded the public that Mr Morrison was not in the race.

'He is not a candidate. If people vote for the LNP, they won't get Scott Morrison. They will get Deb Frecklington she will cut services,' he said.

Steel worker John Simpson speaks is seen with Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington and Scott Morrison

'She will probably be in a minority government with Clive Palmer's party and Pauline Hanson's party. Think about that chaos.' 

Ms Frecklington said a Queensland LNP government would contribute $135 million to a defence industry and military technology precinct nearby if elected.

She said it would create 350 construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs once operational.

'We want that advanced manufacturing, those future jobs, to be trained right here,' she said.

'If the LNP wins on October 31, there will be shovels in the ground here by December 31.'

Mr Morrison said it would help 'create a critical mass' of design, support and manufacturing industries.

Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington greets Prime Minister Scott Morrison on arrival for a tour of Neumann Steel Fabrication on the Gold Coast on October 10

'That's how you get jobs happening,' he said. 

Meanwhile, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 9,475 health workers would be employed over the next four years, including an additional 5,800 nurses, 475 paramedics and 1,700 allied health professionals.

'We need to make sure that we continue to grow our health staff to give Queensland families the best possible care they can get,' she told reporters on Sunday.

'Unless we have a strong health response we cannot open our economic recovery.

'Health is everything.'

Ms Palaszczuk said the plan was fully costed and funded in Queensland Health's $19billion budget.