In a video specially recorded for Fairfax Regional Media, Mr Baird drew attention to the position NSW was in when the ALP was in power.

“We all remember what it was like,” he said.

“Labor left behind a mess, and when we came to power budget was out of control.

“We had debt rising, we had the economy the worst in the nation. Slowest jobs growth and economic growth for ten years, which meant we had less money for services and infrastructure that we’ve needed. Now we believe we have turned it around.”

Mr Baird said regional NSW had benefitted from 2,000 additional nurses, police and teachers.

He listed Dubbo, Wagga, Lismore and Port Macquarie as regional cities that had benefitted from hospital upgrades and said the Pacific, Newell, Western, Princes and New England highways had all made great advancements under the Coalition Government.

Coal Seam Gas was another area he highlighted as a point of difference for regional voters, saying the Coalition had put in place CSG protections that didn’t exist under Labor.

Looking forward, Mr Baird said he had a lot more that he wanted to accomplish in regional NSW.

“We also want to do so much more,” he said.

“We have a great pan – Rebuild NSW – that will enable us to deliver a once in a generation opportunity for the infrastructure we need.”