NSW Premier Mike Baird has urged voters to ignore a $1 million anti-privatisation media blitz launched by the union movement at the weekend, deriding it as a dishonest attempt to scare people.
The union campaign "NSW Not For Sale" is modelled on that deployed in the Queensland and Victorian elections, both of which saw first-term conservative governments spectacularly swept from power.
A ground force of about 1000 volunteers will also be door knocking and making phone calls to voters.
Despite the union campaign appearing to resonate with voters in Queensland and Victoria, Mr Baird said on Sunday that NSW voters should reject the message.
"My urging is to everyone across NSW, don't listen to the scare campaign. Go for the positive vision that's going to make a difference to people's daily lives," he said.
The government plans to partially lease the state's electricity "poles and wires", saying it would put downward pressure on prices and create $20 billion in proceeds to be spent on infrastructure, such as a second harbour rail crossing.
The Unions NSW television advertisement says the move will drive up power prices. It says the state's health system is being "Americanised" by the government's privatisation of hospital services and that TAFE fees will more than double due to private involvement.
Mr Baird said the government expects a tough path to the election involving "scare campaigns … from one end of the state to the other".
"But whatever the unions throw at us, it's not true," he said.
"I think the people of NSW … want to see politicians standing up for what they think is right for the state."
Individual unions are expecetd to pour more money into the campaign as it progresses. Unions NSW secretary Mark Lennon said Mr Baird should address the issues raised in the ads with "more than cheap shots".
Mr Baird was at Queenscliff with the Deputy Premier, Troy Grant, to announce the government will spend an extra $123 million to attract more big ticket events to NSW if it is re-elected.
He said the Australian Open of Surfing, currently being held at Manly Beach, was being televised around the world and showcased the city.
"We have the track record that shows when we put on a show, we do it well," Mr Baird said.
"The beauty of our harbour, beaches and national parks is a natural drawcard for visitors. We want to give them even more reason to visit NSW by hosting more big ticket events."
He said since 2011, NSW has successfully hosted the Major League Baseball opening series, friendly matches with football teams Manchester United and Juventus, the British and Irish Lions rugby tour, the pop art exhibition Pop to Popism and Vivid Sydney.
Asked what other events he would like to see hosted in NSW, Mr Baird cited NBA and NFL games and the President's Cup golf.
Mr Baird also added his voice to a chorus of Australian political leaders who have urged the Indonesian government to spare the lives of convicted Australian drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
"We all agree they need to be punished, but not this way," Mr Baird said, referring to the pairs' impending execution.
"Please listen to what Australia is saying. The Indonesian authorities have the capacity right up to the last minute to listen to what we are saying. We are pleading, please don't put these men to death."
