Generally, major party candidates stick to the tried and true lines of criticising their opposing number as not having delivered on promises or policy, or defend their own party as being the only one which delivers for its constituency.

Too often we are privy to tit-for-tat debates which leaves voters less than fully informed.

The alternative to this complaint is that we have politicians who campaign on single issues or who make outlandish promises or claims in the full knowledge that there is little likelihood of having to act on such visions in the parliament.

Most will never be in a position to influence parliament to this extent.

The Palmer United Party is the most recent example of the power that is achieved by not being bound by major party thinking and policy. It gives every indication of being a political rabble – but a popular one nonetheless.

Which brings us to the local political atmosphere. 

So far this state election campaign has been carried out by the book. There is an intense focus on the three seats in the Ballarat region – Buninyong, Wendouree and Ripon – which is welcome.

However, there have been few announcements which have really sparked the broader masses into furious debate.

One senses, however, that the Nationals candidate in Buninyong Sonia Smith is swaying from expectations. This week she proposed a cap on home and business utility bills at the rate of the Consumer Price Index.

All politicians are aware that the cost of living is a significant issue. 

It’s also very difficult to impact. A cap on bills, some would suggest, is unworkable at best, potentially industry-killing at worst.

This is the response expected to Ms Smith’s proposal.

What would be better is genuine discussion about what the other parties will do to reduce household costs. After all, the middle ground between the spin nirvana and whirlwind populism is a space where voters really live.