However, it is usually the case that the margin between the two major parties narrows in the final weeks of the campaign, as the undecided voters and those who have "parked" a protest vote with another party finally commit to the party they intend to vote for on November 29. 

Both major parties acknowledge that the margin is closer than the Fairfax Ipsos poll shows and this appears to be the case, with a Galaxy poll published in the Herald Sun yesterday showing Labor ahead 52/48.

With final candidate nominations in and pre-polling well under way, and with just seven days to polling day, it is timely to look at the final set of candidates in each Bendigo seat.

Importantly, the National Party has decided not to stand a candidate in either seat.  This is the first time since 1999 that the Nationals have failed to contest either Bendigo electorate. The Coalition strategy here is confusing. Generally it is the case that the overall conservative vote is maximised when both Liberals and Nationals are contesting the same seat. 

A flurry of last-minute nominations for Bendigo East from Family First, Rise Up Australia and the Australian Country Alliance takes the number of candidates to six down from nine in 2010. In Bendigo West there are also six candidates down from eight in 2010. In both seats the final outcome may well depend on preferences.

In 2010 preference flows were important in the final result for both Bendigo seats. This year the Greens are preferencing the Labor party, while the Liberals are putting the Greens last, behind the far-right Rise Up Australia party. 

In Bendigo East Labor and the Australian Country Alliance are swapping preferences, while in Bendigo West the Country Alliance has issued a split ticket. Family First and Rise Up Australia preferences will flow to the Liberals in both seats.

Candidates’ respective positions on the ballot paper are keenly watched. In Bendigo East Liberal challenger Greg Bickley has secured the coveted position on top of the ballot paper, ensuring he will benefit from the "donkey" vote, estimated to be around one per cent.

With the electronic advertising ban taking effect from midnight this coming Thursday, expect to see both major parties increase their efforts to attract the votes of those electors who still remain undecided.

Ian Tulloch is a political commentator.