But sadly that is not the case.

The Standard invited the leaders of each of the state’s major political parties to address our election forum in Warrnambool on Monday night.

Premier Daniel Andrews, Liberal Party leader Matthew Guy and National Party leader Peter Walsh, three of the big four, are definite no-shows. Greens leader Greg Barber is unlikely to attend.

If it wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable. 

What could be more pressing than winning seats in parliament for these four?

Parliament is not even sitting next week so it gives the perception they are city-centric and can’t be bothered finding their way over the West Gate Bridge.

Mr Andrews has been premier for almost a year and has not visited Warrnambool, one of the state’s largest regional cities.

Mr Guy has been in the region during the campaign and by all reports is planning a return next week.

He has plenty to lose because this result will be seen as a test of his leadership.

On paper, the National Party should have a real chance in South West Coast but what message does Mr Walsh’s absence from the forum, the only gathering of its type during the campaign, send?

National Party candidate Michael Neoh has every right to feel abandoned. The same could also be said for the Greens’ Thomas Campbell if Mr Barber does not attend.

As for Labor, it beggars belief that a party which received more than 11,000 first preference votes at the last election when it had no chance, would turn its back on those loyal supporters this time when it could have made real inroads, setting up a genuine fight in three years time.

The absence of the leaders just highlights the need for voters to snub the major parties.

We need this region’s seats to be marginal electorates.

We could follow Shepparton’s lead where at the last election the community voted for an independent, ending more than six decades of National Party representation.

How much do you value your vote?

More than the leaders value yours?

The choice is yours.