FEDERAL Labor Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon will make the keynote address of an agriculture conference in Roma today after launching an election campaign last night.

Mr Fitzgibbon is on a two-day trip to town and last night he launched the campaign of the Labor candidate for Maranoa Dave Kerrigan of Barcaldine.

Maranoa is one of the safest LNP seats in the country but Mr Kerrigan hopes to take advantage of the retirement of Federal Member Bruce Scott.

The Western Star was not invited to the launch but understands that Mr Fitzgibbon said Mr Scott's strong personal following may not automatically flow to whoever follows him with many farmers disappointed about how long it was taking to implement drought relief measures announced in June.

Mr Fitzgibbon later posted a picture from the launch to his Twitter feed.

The date for pre-selection of LNP candidates to replace Mr Scott expires this month with a postal ballot to follow in October.

The Western Star understands that at least three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring with the favourites being Warwick businessman David Littleproud and Maranoa Regional councillor Cameron O'Neil.

Meanwhile Mr Fitzgibbon continues his visit to Roma today with a visit to a local property to meet farmers and he will also meet with the Mayor and councillors from the Maranoa Regional Council.

In the afternoon Mr Fitzgibbon will deliver a keynote address to the 21st Century Landcare and Agricultural Competitiveness Forum at the Cultural Centre.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he was looking forward to hearing from other members of the Roma community and farmers in the Maranoa electorate.