Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews yesterday announced two major health policy platforms, only days after a $1.2 billion education agenda was the centrepiece of its election launch.

Mr Andrews is promising to enshrine nurse to patient ratios in Victorian hospitals – a first in Australia. He is also pledging to fund improvements to hospital safety, a major issue for emergency departments across the state.

Through these announcements, Labor has gained valuable exposure in two policy areas which are absolutely crucial to the voting intentions on election day.

While we expect the Coalition government is yet to fire its major salvos in health and education policy, it is fast running out of time to establish itself as the party of vision for Victoria’s future.

To this week, the government remains in negotiations with unions over paramedic pay. In defence of Premier Denis Napthine, the deal on the table is now absolutely sufficient and appropriate.

The negotiations have been used to undermine the government politically and it is inevitable that paramedics sign up, or be accused of simply holding the state to ransom. It’s these types of debates which have hindered the government’s message to voters in recent times – particularly in regard to the bigger picture.

The government’s approach has been targeted, making smaller important announcements which will have more direct impact on communities, such as investments in individual schools and community facilities.

Despite what the polls might be saying, it is an approach which is resonating in regional Victoria, where the election could be won or lost. In the Ballarat region alone there are three seats – Wendouree, Buninyong and Ripon – which all hang by an electoral thread.

The Coalition is clearly working overtime to convince voters it is the steady hand which Victorians can trust. It also needs to show it has visionary policy in the areas which voters value most.