As election campaigns come to a head this weekend across the state, some south-west New South Wales communities are concerned they have not been listened to.
Several community leaders have told the ABC that of the 10 candidates vying for the marginal seat of Murray, they had only heard from one or two.
Independent incumbent Helen Dalton, formerly of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, holds the second-largest seat in the state by a margin of 2.8 per cent.
Wentworth District Community Medical Centre president Glenis Beaumont said only one candidate responded to a petition signed by 313 locals calling for improvements to healthcare, including a dialysis machine at the Wentworth hospital.
"We've seen Helen Dalton frequently," she said.
"We've had some visits from Peta Betts, we've had Paul Toole in the area, but otherwise I'm not aware of any of the other candidates coming across to Wentworth.
"I think they're looking to the larger population bases."
Ms Beaumont said politicians had to hear what the rural community needed in regard to basic health services.
The ABC contacted all the candidates.
Adrian Carle from the Legalise Cannabis Party, Mirsad (Max) Buljubasic from Labor, Peta Betts from the Nationals, Desiree Gregory from Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, Amelia King from the Greens and independent David Landini did not respond.
Left off campaign tour
Jane Farnsworth from the Balranald Early Learning Centre said she had not been contacted by any of the candidates.
"I haven't heard any information from them so I'd say they're not interested," she said.
"We don't hear anything from them.
"[The new member] needs to be making sure that they're giving more money to the educators to make it more worthwhile for them to work in this industry."
Kevin Farrell did not answer whether he had engaged in conversation with the Wentworth or Balranald communities in the lead-up to Saturday's election.
He confirmed he had visited Griffith, Leeton and Deniliquin.
Mr Farrell said responding to issues at Griffith's two public high schools was a top priority, but made no mention of Wentworth or Balranald.
"The NSW Coalition government's policy of marginalising public education has been obvious for years and has become more aggressive over the past few years because they think they can get away with anything that strips funds and support from public schools," he said.
Distance an obstacle
The seat of Murray is the second largest in the state, spanning more than 110,000 square kilometres between Barooga and the South Australian border.
More than 56,000 electors live in the Murray, in and near Deniliquin, Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Hillston, Balranald, Moama and Wentworth.
Independent Greg Adamson told the ABC he entered the campaign late because "nobody else was putting up their hand".
"I have to be honest, given my short campaign period and the sheer volume of admin as an independent, I have not been to Wentworth during this campaign period," he said.
"[Its] something I regret, but I could not avoid."
Michael Florance from the Sustainable Australia party said he had been to the regions previously, he had not done so ahead of the election.
"I have had limited correspondence [with community groups including at Wentworth and Balranald] in recent weeks, but have visited many of these areas in both my personal and professional life," he said.
"We live in a big electorate and where possible I am speaking to smaller communities.
"I have had a range of conversations and there is definitely concern about a lack of fairness in service delivery when compared to Sydney and major regional centres."
Ms Dalton said the far west of the electorate was just as important as any other part.
'Not all about Sydney'
Some residents in the seat of Murray did not realise the election was on until days before ballots were due to be cast.
Carolyn Peel had been living in Gol Gol for 13 years and said she had never seen a politician in the area.
"Where's the personal touch?" she said.
"They come out of the woodwork, they show their photos up the road, but they don't really know what's happening."
Rodney from Buronga said he had not even seen signage.
"They've been very quiet, we are too far away from Sydney to care," he said.
"It's not all about Sydney — it's more about the rest of the state."
