Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has declared this month's state election is "not about Tony Abbott", as Liberal National Party insiders said the last thing the party would want is for the Prime Minister to play a prominent role in the campaign.

Mr Newman called a snap election on Tuesday for January 31, earlier than had been expected. The Liberal National Party holds 73 seats in the Queensland Parliament, compared to nine for Labor, but recent polls have put the parties neck-and-neck.

Premier Campbell Newman and his wife, Lisa. Credit:Getty Images

Mr Abbott made few campaign appearances before the November Victorian state election, where the Napthine government's defeat was widely attributed, at least in part, to the federal government's unpopularity.

"He is more than welcome to come up here," Mr Newman said when asked about Mr Abbott's role in the Queensland campaign. "I would see him being here if we have a particular announcement about some sort of federal support - it could be to an infrastructure project or some policy to benefit Queenslanders. But I make the point: this campaign is about state issues and the performance of the strong LNP team. It is not about Tony Abbott."