It began with a pledge from the Premier Gladys Berejiklian that there would be no pork barrelling because "I think the community see through a cash splash."
Six weeks later, the Coalition had managed to lay down a trail of spending promises across the Upper Hunter electorate worth almost $130million.
At the bottom end there was money for bike trails at Dungog and a new air-conditioner at Muswellbrook Golf Club.
At the business end there was a pledge of $45 million for the stage 3 upgrade of Muswellbrook Hospital, between $25million and $30million to improve the design of the Singleton bypass and $25 million to establish a Resources for Rejuvenation transition fund.
Without doubt each of the projects will in some way improve the lives of Upper Hunter residents. But equally, there is little doubt the funding helped the Coalition secure victory on Saturday.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who was joined by a procession of ministers for the funding announcements, denied the commitments represented "pork barrelling".
You call it pork barrelling but the people of the Upper Hunter are asking for their fair share,"
John Barilaro
"You call it pork barrelling but the people of the Upper Hunter are asking for their fair share," Mr Barilaro said on May 10 when he announced $12 million for the upgrade of Singleton Police station followed 90 minutes later by the $45 million commitment for the Stage 3 Muswellbrook Hospital upgrade.
"There is a byelection and byelections are when promises are made about the future.
"It's actually what the electorate expects because they have to judge a candidate,"
With only 18 months before he is judged on his ability to deliver for electorate, incoming Upper Hunter MP David Layzell promised to get cracking on the 'to-do list' immediately.
"The people of the Upper Hunter have given me their trust. I want to make sure I have all of those [issues] written down and start actioning them," he said on Sunday.
Mr Barilaro also said he would ensure the byelection promises were kept.
"For me, everything I said I would do I will do," he said.
"I'm not going to throw David into the deep end to just go and do it for the next 18 months."
