Rudd's day on the island state

Tasmanian's underwhelmed with Kevin Rudd's one off-job commitments to the troubled island state. Source: AAP

KEVIN Rudd's campaign roadshow has touched down in Tasmania, where the prime minister opened his heart and Labor's wallet for the troubled island state.

Arriving at Hobart's showground on Saturday, sheltering from lashing rain beneath an umbrella, Mr Rudd announced that a re-elected Labor government will spend $5 million to redevelop the weary facility, creating 140 jobs.

But the recession-plagued island where the unemployment rate of 8.2 per cent is the nation's highest, can take little comfort in the vague promise with Mr Rudd refusing to get into "micro-planning" and as a result unable to provide a timeline for the project.

"On Tasmania, I think we have a strong record of achievement, not just a bit of an abstract plan for the future," he said in Labor's defence.

On day six of the election campaign Mr Rudd was more than an hour late for his sole Hobart engagement and spent only a few minutes with patient supporters before bypassing the scones, jam and cream to be locked away for a pre-press conference briefing.

"I love Tasmania and the family and I have holidayed here before and I'm sure we'll be back again," Mr Rudd said, almost by way of compensating for the lack of a much-anticipated economic stimulus announcement for the state.

Earlier in the week the coalition announced a $6.5 million pilot plan for Tasmania, paying employers to hire people who have been on the Newstart allowance for six months or more and continue to employ them full time for at least six months.

"I would have liked to hear more ideas for Tasmania from Mr Rudd, and I'm a Labor through-and-through," said an onlooker, who asked not to be named.

Campaigning in the seat of Denison, Mr Rudd stood alongside Labor's candidate for the electorate, Jane Austin, but offered his party colleague only faint praise, while saying he has no criticism of current independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who is tipped to retain his place.

"I'm not into the negative politics of having a whack at Mr Wilkie," Mr Rudd said.

The prime ministerial convoy headed to Tasmania's north for the afternoon, stopping at Launceston where Mr Rudd announced $375,000 to help fund the $1.1 million redevelopment of Prospect Park.

He kicked a football with local children and was seen to reel back to avoid a slobbery lick from a cavalier King Charles spaniel.

Devonport was the final destination, where Mr Rudd toured a fruit and vegetable cold store distribution centre, walking among crates of Tassie apples and mushrooms.

The prime minister will spend Saturday night in Canberra ahead of Sunday's political debate with Mr Abbott at the National Press Club.

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