Real plan for progress will win the day

This includes being aware of the preferences deals, including those between the Greens and Labor.

Voters who are fed up with the bush being ignored, especially on issues such as mining, also must consider the bigger picture of what's needed to help take rural NSW forward, and the potential damage of a protest vote.

The examples set by the Palmer United Party in Canberra or NSW's Shooters and Fishers, are hardly inspiring.

Silly deals and second-rate horse trading have become the main game, resulting in obscure "gains" like shooting in national parks to get an electricity privatisation deal through parliament.

Debate is important, but how much of this has been productive, as opposed to self-serving agenda filling?

Do we want to continue down this path, or get on with running the state?

Support within Labor ranks for the coalition's poles and wires plan suggests people generally are ready to get on with business.

However, this election could still see some shifts in how people vote, although where those votes might go is hard to predict.

The Greens have struck a chord with people in areas where mining and coal seam gas (CSG) are big issues, but the party's broad agenda on welfare, forestry, intensive agriculture, live exports and native vegetation will undermine its ability to attract the vote of those who are looking at the bigger picture.

The Greens' preference deals in some seats could also be a turn-off, particularly where mining and CSG are an issue.

It is after all, a bit contradictory that the Greens, in seats like Ballina, Tweed and Lismore, where CSG is a hot topic, have given preferences to Labor, given Labor has a strong pro-mining history.

As predicted, the Nationals finally revealed its ace in the hole - native vegetation reform.

As politicised as the topic is, the move represents a real chance for legislation to move forward for the first time since the introduction of SEPP 46 in 1995 and it will win a few votes.

The big winner for the coalition overall though, is it has a clear plan to improve the state.

The previous election was about economic reform.

This election is about progress - as long as we keep our expectations realistic.