Of the nine Ballarat-specific promises made by the Labor Party, only two have been equalled by the Liberal Party. The Labor Party has made a total of $46.6 million compared to $10.6 million by the Liberal Party.

It was in fact the Liberal Party that made one of the opening salvos in the campaign, promising $10.1million to mark the 50^th anniversary of Sovereign Hill. Their promise that swiftly matched the following day by the Labor MP Catherine King, who also committed funds to Ballarat's flagship attraction.

Since then, the Labor Party under the shadow health minister has done most of the running. They have committed $10 million to help get the Ballarat Innovation and Research Collaboration for Health (BIRCH) off the ground should they be elected on May 18.

Ms King has also said her party would supply $5 million to help complete the renovation of Her Majestys Theatre, allowing the venue to become more accessible - funding unmatched so far by the Liberal Party.

Three sporting facilities in the area will benefit from extra funding if Labor comes to power - Bacchus Marsh Sports Hub, City Oval change rooms, and Russell Square sporting ground.

The latter is the only sporting pledge that the Liberal Party has made, with the $500,000 for junior changing facilities part of the 2019/20 budget. The City of Ballarat council will also add $250,000.

This week too, the Labor Party has made commitments of $14 million for the extension of the Ballarat Airport runway, which will potentially make commercial flights a possibility.

It has also committed $5 million to the development of a rail trail from Daylesford to Hanging Rock, and $280,000 in funding for Ballarat school upgrades.

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