TRUST me.

State Opposition Leader Campbell Newman touched down in Buderim to press flesh with voters, politicians both current and retired, and guarantee a hospital.

This latest visit to the Coast – his third since announcing his tilt in late March – was light on numbers but heavy on message.

Mr Campbell had worried voters when he said the planned Sunshine Coast University Hospital could be delivered for up to $400 million less than the $2 billion slated by the State Government.

Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said that figure was wrong, saying it was closer to $200 million.

Mr Newman yesterday told a throng of reporters that the dollar figures were “irrespective”.

“We're going to build the hospital,” he said.

“It will have the same number of beds and the same number of services.”

But did our MPs know this man who would be premier planned to use the future hospital as a foundation stone to his campaign?

Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle's spokesman did not answer these questions when put to him by the Daily.

Member for Buderim Steve Dickson – who stood alongside Mr Newman at yesterday's doorstop – said it was common knowledge.

“Everybody was aware of all the policies regarding the hospital,” he said.

“We all want it here on the Sunshine Coast.”

Member for Noosa Glen Elmes said he did not know about the plan before it was made public, but gave it his full backing.

“We had been talking about it for years but I'm not in the shadow cabinet so I didn't hear about it in advance,” he said.

“I know (McArdle) has been doing investigating for a few years to find a way of delivering the hospital.

“From my point of view it's welcome.”

Candidate for Nicklin John Connolly said as “a candidate not a politician”, he was unaware of the plan.

“I'm not in the inner sanctum but (the hospital) was always top of the agenda.”

Mr Newman ended his media conference on the topic of Australia Zoo founder Bob Irwin entering the ring as a threat to his chance to win Ashgrove.

“If people vote for independents or for minor parties, just look at what has happened federally.

It has been a debacle.