The Australian reported on Wednesday that her department has spent more than $528,000 on coronavirus polling over the past few months, with the opposition calling for Labor to pay back the money.

Ms Palaszczuk denied the polling was giving Labor an advantage ahead of the October 31 state election

She insists it's helping her government manage public health and economic responses to the pandemic.

"This sentiment polling is done across Australia, it's done by every state, and it's done by the federal government as well," the premier said.

Ms Palaszczuk used the example of how polling people's wellbeing in lockdown led her government to allocate more funding to domestic and family violence and mental health services. She revealed that polling had also been conducted on how people felt about signing into restaurants.

She claims it's normal and necessary for all governments to poll their constituents, especially during a pandemic.

"It's interesting that Queensland is just being singled out here, but let me say this very clearly: everyone just needs to have a cold shower when it comes to this, because every other state is asking about how people are feeling about being in lockdown and coming out of lockdown," the premier added.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington claimed Labor was clearly making decisions about COVID-19 restrictions for political gain rather than health advice.

She called on Labor to pay back all the money spent on coronavirus polling.

"Annastacia Palaszczuk claims to be following the health advice but now it is clear it's all about politics and populism," she said.

Australian Associated Press