DAWSON MP George Christensen has slammed the plan to move the Lions Airlie Beach Markets, taking aim at his Labor opposition in the process.

While Labor has promised to commit $6.6 million to the project, Mr Christensen says it would "literally rip the heart and soul out of the Airlie community".

"Market stallholders and market-goers are overwhelmingly opposed to any shift in the venue and yet the Labor Party has decided over a cup of coffee to make those plans a reality," he said.

"The Airlie Beach markets on the foreshore are a drawcard for locals and visitors; they are an essential part of any visit to Airlie and their location right there on the foreshore is a huge part of their appeal."

Mr Christensen pointed to the fact ALP candidate Frank Gilbert's supporters had a stall at the markets, saying he was out of touch with the community on the issue.

The LNP candidate in the upcoming federal election said he would ensure the current market location was "safeguarded before any consideration is given to requests for Federal Government funding".

"It's no good pouring millions of dollars into revitalising Airlie's foreshore if you then rob it of its charm and character," he said.

"The consultation process has not even finished yet but people fear with this Labor announcement that the whole thing will just get rubberstamped and pushed through."