So, in the 162 days since the ballot papers were marked and shovelled into the big cardboard boxes, and with a little over a month until the election, what is the state of play?

One gets the feeling that our almost accidental MP, the Independent Joe McGirr, is still very much finding his feet in the role.

It is difficult to know whether that will be to his advantage or disadvantage come March 23.

Will voters be able to reach an informed view of an Independent MP's effectiveness on the back of this six-month mini-term in which there have been so few sitting weeks?

I'd suggest the answer is no, but does that mean voters are more likely to back Dr McGirr in for a full four-year term, or desert him in favour of a candidate with a chance of being in government?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Labor’s Dan Hayes, now a veteran of several state and local election campaigns, is showing that experience counts when it comes to campaigning.

Each day he is out hammering Labor’s key messages, with roads, education and police resourcing appearing to be some of the main issues Labor feels it can hurt the government on.

The Nationals won a bitter tug-of-war late last year with its Coalition partner for the right to stand a candidate in Wagga Wagga.

The question is whether it will learn from the mistakes the Liberals made in the byelection - chiefly smothering its candidate with an endless stream of ministers. 

If The Nationals are to wrest back the seat for the Coalition, then candidate Mackenna Powell must be allowed by the party machine to succeed or fail on her own terms.

I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the election. Will Dr McGirr be re-elected? Will The Nationals restore the seat to the Coalition? Will Labor win Wagga Wagga for the first time since Eddie Graham held it from 1941 to 1957?

Most importantly, what are the issues that will determine your vote? Send your thoughts to ross.tyson@fairfaxmedia.com.au.

All the best for the week ahead, Ross.