Budding politicians often talk about being consultative and saying they wish to represent the concerns of voters.
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However, that stance can often be lost once a candidate is elected and as they are faced with the challenges of office.
They may be tugged by their party allegiance or be constrained by more pressing budget concerns receiving the attention of their leader.
Independent Cathy McGowan, the member for Indi, does not have those restrictions, which in theory makes it easier for her to deliver on consultation.
She has undertaken wide feedback from her electorate in the form of kitchen table conversations and postcards urging voters to 'Get in Cathy's Ear!'.
This has resulted in more than 1200 North East residents offering their opinions and making clear poor telecommunications and a struggling railway are top priorities.
Some would say you don't need to wander too far in Wodonga or Wangaratta to uncover those concerns.
But at least Ms McGowan has canvassed her electorate.
More important though is the action that voters will want to accompany the talk.
There needs to be concrete movement on problems.
Particularly the poor V/Line service, which Ms McGowan promised to fix during the 2013 election campaign.
Travellers have put up with late trains, buses replacing services and blame shifting between governments and organisations.
Ms McGowan now admits she did not comprehend the size of the task in fixing the rail service's woes.
She wants to have a timetable defined for a solution.
Trains and telecommunications will be part of the Indi Summit in October.
Ms McGowan says she wants it to give her a platform to take to the next election.
The reality is though it will be the record leading up to the election that will be what Ms McGowan is judged on.
She will be out to prove what she calls the Indi Way, a consultation-driven process, is what constituents want.
Others will say they prefer to have more action and that there has been too much talking and not enough delivery from Ms McGowan.