It is up to everyone to draw their own conclusion based on their own checks and the accuracy of facts stated by the candidates.

My vote will be to put the Nationals last on my ballot as I am totally opposed to the forced merger of Cabonne Council to Orange City Council and Blayney Shire Council. It is not a merger but a takeover.

Philip Donato (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party): From Millthorpe, no allegiances, will listen, against forced council mergers and greyhound racing ban, TAFE and CSU cuts. Mr Donato’s party holds balance of power in upper house and will fight to reverse sale of crown land. Preferences (in order): Di Decker, Scott Munro, Kevin Duffy, Bernard Fitzsimon, Ian Donald, Scott Barrett and Janelle Bicknell.

Kevin Duffy (Independent): Will fight for health (especially in the home – against privatisation of hospitals), manufacturing and TAFE jobs, infrastructure, paramedics, tourism, believes in council mergers, doesn't believe he betrayed Cabonne and its residents, will fight to reverse the sale of crown land. Preferences: Himself No.1, others optional.

Bernard Fitzsimon (Labor): Against council mergers (will reverse if requested by majority of people), privatisation of hospitals and greyhound racing ban. Wants to build communities and against any toxic policy by Coalition Government. Mr Fitzsimon will fight to reverse the sale of crown land and stressed he will govern for all of the electorate. Preferences: Himself No.1, others optional.

Janelle Bicknell (Greens): Will fight for renewable clean energy, TAFE, health and roads. She is against mergers and will fight to reverse the sale of crown land. Preferences: Herself No.1, others optional.

Scott Barrett (Nationals): Says he's against forced council mergers (but he doesn’t appear to be fighting them), will fight for health, roads and jobs (doesn't believe we are losing jobs in region though), and is for local communities (but his government is destroying them with forced mergers). Mr Barrett acknowledged that some of the decisions made by his government were wrong, he will fight for improvements in all areas, says that much of what other candidates were saying was spin and we should check our own facts and figures. Preferences: Himself No.1, others optional.

Scott Munro (Independent): Against forced council amalgamations (but moved it as a motion to merge Cabonne Council with Orange City Council on a voluntary basis), will fight for hospital neo-natal unit, infrastructure, roads and jobs. Will fight to reverse the sale of crown land and urged the electorate to vote with our feet. Preferences: Himself No.1 Di Decker, Philip Donato, Bernard Fitzsimon and Kevin Duffy.

Ian Donald (Independent): For families, true democracy and infrastructure. Wants to sack Orange City Council and the NSW Government. Mr Donald is against forced council mergers and the greyhound bracing ban and will fight to reverse the sale of crown land. Preferences: Himself No.1, others optional.

Di Decker (Christian Democratics): Against forced council mergers, wants honesty in government, believes as she lives in a regional area she knows what we want more than the city-based candidates