Queensland's Electrical Trades Union has launched defamation action against the LNP and The Courier Mail over allegations criminal bikies provided "wads of cash" to unions and the Labor party.

The claims were first made by Premier Campbell Newman during the Sky News leaders' debate on January 23.

The LNP allegations are based on footage shot by a citizen journalist on Australia Day 2014. It shows ETU state secretary Peter Simpson recalling things during the wharfies 1998 dispute.

Wharfies around the country had rebelled the Howard government's plans to make major changes to the operation of Australian wharves.