And never has a campaign been so protracted and devoid of meaningful debate.

It’s hardly an inspiring backdrop to the most important contest in the nation.

Yet on Saturday, voters will trudge into polling booths – some armed with the proverbial baseball bat – to exercise their democratic duty.

According to polls, the result is on a knife-edge federally.

Closer to home, it’s far more predictable.

Almost certainly, sitting Nationals MP Michael McCormack will be returned, albeit with a smaller margin.

The skinnier margin will be partly a function of a skinnier Coalition majority in the federal parliament.

It will also be partly due to the Coalition’s main rival, the ALP, having their first decent crack at the seat in years.

Tim Kurylowicz has run an admirable campaign, supported by more funds from Sussex Street and a loyal band of local true believers.

He has painted a policy broad-brush, largely around health, education and the National Broadband Network.

The Greens’ Kevin Poynter has taken a similarly big picture approach, beating the drum for a more sustainable future through more renewables.

Meanwhile, Independent Richard Foley has been a revelation with his willingness to think outside the box, engage voters through social media and his fascinating proposal for a voter app to guide how he would vote in parliament.

Mr McCormack has also barely missed a beat, invoking the spirit of his predecessor Kay Hull by taking a “business as usual”, small target campaign approach.

He deserves, and will get, a third term.

His rivals’ main line of attack, that Mr McCormack is a “lapdog to the Liberals” with no real power in the party room, is blunted by the fact he will be a respected member – and possibly even a senior minister – in the next government of Australia.

He has also defied the conventional wisdom around safe seat neglect by delivering a flurry of projects and promises in this term.

However, it is critical Mr McCormack repays the faith of voters and continues to deliver in the next term of government.

The communities he represents will be ensuring he does.