The party is renowned for its rejection of human-induced climate change, but One Nation's candidate in Australia's ninth most marginal seat has expressed openness to the use of renewable energy sources — in the future.

Key points: Flynn is a key seat to watch this federal election, held by the LNP's Ken O'Dowd on a margin of just one per cent

Flynn is a key seat to watch this federal election, held by the LNP's Ken O'Dowd on a margin of just one per cent There has been a large investment in renewables across Flynn, but it also hosts four coal-fired power stations employing about 250 people in each

There has been a large investment in renewables across Flynn, but it also hosts four coal-fired power stations employing about 250 people in each The three leading candidates all say coal-fired power will continue to be a large part of the energy mix for many years to come

One Nation's candidate for Flynn, Sharon Lohse, lives on a rural property near Biggenden that is wholly powered by a mix of solar panels and wind.

She said that gives her real knowledge of the future role of renewables, but that at this stage renewables could not support the average person's lifestyle.

"We must stay with coal-fired baseload for our industries," she said.

"The uncertainty is hurting our economy right now, so we have to give them [industry] surety that we are not going to move forward into renewable energy and high renewable energy targets until the economy gets more secure, our contracts are cemented.

"In the meantime [we can] keep investing and looking at them. But certainly do not spend that enormous about of money chasing something that gives insecurity in our economy."

Queensland is a key battleground this federal election, and home to five electorates held on margins of one per cent or less.

Flynn is one of them, and is described by the ABC's chief elections analyst Antony Green as a key seat to watch.

It is held by the Liberal National Party of Queensland's Ken O'Dowd on a margin of just one per cent.

At 132,824 square kilometres, Flynn is also the ninth largest electorate in the country and stretches from the Labor stronghold of Gladstone, to traditionally conservative-leaning Emerald and Blackwater out west, and down to Gayndah.

In 2016, less than 2,000 votes separated now-third term MP Mr O'Dowd from Labor candidate Zac Beers after preferences.

Both are contesting the seat for their respective parties again this election.

The electorate is expected to be a three-cornered contest this time around with Ms Lohse, a third-generation grazier and former National Party member, flying the One Nation flag.

And there is the real and present polarising split between supporting the region's coal-fired power stations and manufacturing industries, to growing environmental concerns and investing in the renewable energy sector.

Flynn's main population centre, Gladstone, is supported by shipping and mining. ( ABC Wide Bay: Nicole Hegarty )

One Nation threat to Nationals

Deputy Prime Minister and National's leader Michael McCormack admits One Nation could take a share of his party's vote, but said he was focused on supporting incumbent Ken O'Dowd.

"I'm not too worried about One Nation and what candidates might say or do. I'm just focused on making sure people understand that Ken O'Dowd has delivered for Flynn," he said.

"Ken O'Dowd will continue — if elected, and I hope he is — to deliver for them. Ken O'Dowd stands for a balance in any debate."

Griffith University political analyst Dr Paul Williams said the LNP should be concerned.

"Those preferences could be the difference between winning and losing for the LNP because, strangely, One Nation voters are quite undisciplined in where they give their preferences," he said.

"It's not unknown for 40 or 50 per cent of One Nation voters leaving the LNP to preference One Nation first and Labor second.

"You'd expect that the LNP is in serious trouble in Flynn, and you'd almost have to write that seat off because it's got such a big Labor voting population".

Primary production, including cattle, is a large pillar of the electorate's economy. ( ABC Wide Bay: Nicole Hegarty )

While she is a former member of the Nationals, Ms Lohse left the party because she believed it no longer represented the country voter — reflecting a much larger issue of discontent among traditional Nationals voters.

"We were voicing our concerns, attending meetings and contacting local members. But these concerns were not conveyed further on," she said.

Incumbent Ken O'Dowd also concedes losing votes to One Nation is a concern.

The incumbent LNP Member Ken O'Dowd (right) is at risk of losing his seat this election but has the support of party colleagues. ( ABC Wide Bay: Nicole Hegarty )

"One Nation and Clive Palmer, the source of their support is from the National Party. So it's got to be a concern. But just how well they poll is another thing," Mr O'Dowd said.

"I've got four coal-fired power stations in my electorate and they all employ about 250 people in each.

"I know there are concerns about climate change but we're addressing those issues as we go.

"Renewables, as they get better with their technology, will always have a place in Australia. But at the moment [it's about] cheap, reliable electricity. It's all about jobs and I'm out there fighting for jobs.

"Those guys in the coal mines, they need a job for the future, and I can't see them all pouring coffee for our tourism trade".

Coal-fired power in the energy mix for years to come: Beers

Labor candidate Zac Beers missed out on the seat by less than 2,000 votes after preferences in 2016. ( ABC Wide Bay: Nicole Hegarty )

The Labor candidate for Flynn, Zac Beers, said while there has been significant investment in renewables in the region, Labor had a policy to reduce costs and upgrade infrastructure.

"We know coal-fired power is going to continue to be a big part of the energy mix for many years to come, particularly here in Queensland where we have the youngest fleet of coal-fired power generators in Australia," he said.

"We know that renewable energy being bought into the mix is the cheapest way to bring new energy into the grid."

He said One Nation preferences would play a role in deciding the member for Flynn.

"We know that it's always an incredibly challenging seat to win. We know that everything's going to have to go our way for us to get over the line," he said.

The LNP's Mr O'Dowd urged voters not to switch their support.

"We've got some very good policies for water, agriculture and aged care. They should look at the issues before they make up their mind and I'm confident our policies will stack up," he said.

"At the moment we're just making assumptions, and sometimes those assumptions can be wrong".