The rNationals hold 12 of the 93 seats in state's lower house, five seats fewer than what it had at the 2015 election.

It wants some of those back.

"It's an election where we need every vote on every booth in every electorate," Mr Toole told the crowd.

The Coalition started the day with a pledge that a re-elected government would deliver a public hospital for Forster and more than $100 million for the redevelopment of the Manning Base Hospital at Taree.

Local paramedic Tom McDonald was present for the announcement but was not convinced the promises would be delivered.

"It's been an area that's been under-resourced for a long period of time," he said.

"Whether it's been a safe Nationals seat for a long time — that may have something to do with it, I'm not sure."

Before the day's end, the leaders found more cash in the war chest, including $1 billion to upgrade roads, fast track freight, and rebuild infrastructure damaged by disasters.

"The one thing that people talk about, it is roads," Mr Toole said.

"They tell me that they want to continue to see that investment into roads."

Mr Perrottet rejected any suggestion that the government might consider privatising utilities, such as Hunter Water, to pay for its promises.

"I've said it before, I'll say it again — no plans to do that," he said.

Battle lines drawn:

The party sees an opportunity in a weakened Shooter, Fishers and Farmers Party after all three of its members defected to become independents, all in seats once held by the Nationals.

"They're hoping to pick up Murray from Helen Dalton and they've also given themselves an outside chance in Barwon, which is a giant electorate covering just under half of the state," ABC election analyst Antony Green said.

Despite the united front by the premier and deputy premier, the Liberal and Nationals will face off in a rare three-cornered contest in Port Macquarie, which has not happened in NSW since 1999, after the local member defected to the Liberals.

The Nationals will also be working to hold seats such as the Upper Hunter, which David Layzell holds by just 0.5% as the result of a recent boundary redistribution.

Despite clinging to a narrow margin, Mr Layzell said the party was still relevant to regional NSW.

"We are still the country party, we are still the people who care about living in the country and we want to see a better livability for everyone who lives in the country," he said.

One name noticeably absent from the event was that of former deputy premier, John Barilaro, who has been the centre of recent controversies, including over the handling of bushfire grants.

"There can always be issues pop up about past decisions and past styles of leadership," Mr Layzell said.

"But we've got to look at the leadership we have now."

Original Story By | Emma Siossian & Kylie Morris.

Video #3 | '...Seems like only yesterday' - Nat no more - Portmac.News at Leslie's re-election in 2019.