But don't let them fool you into thinking they take no notice of the very regular polls published in between elections.

And it has been a series of such polls recently that has breathed new life into the political prospects of NSW opposition leader Luke Foley.

Just a year ago Mr Foley was wandering in a political wilderness.

His party had barely made an impact at the state election six months earlier and was struggling to find any traction against the very popular premier Mike Baird.

Mr Foley’s position may not have been under threat but that was only because no-one else wanted it.

Fast-forward 12 months and it is a very different landscape in NSW politics.

Two of Mr Baird's most contentious policy positions – on forced council amalgamations and a statewide ban on greyhound racing from July 1 next year - have gifted the opposition platforms upon which to rally support.

And Mr Foley was attempting to do just that in Bathurst on Monday afternoon, pressing the flesh and talking with greyhound breeders and trainers at the weekly Kennerson Park meeting.

Mr Foley and the Labor Party had been buoyed by new poll figures published that morning in the metropolitan media that showed falling support for the Liberal and National parties had put Labor back in its strongest position in this state in recent memory.

And with a by-election to be held in the state seat of Orange in November to replace Andrew Gee following his move to federal politics, the latest survey found primary support for the Nationals in that seat had fallen from around 60 per cent in March 2015 to under 40 per cent now.

By-elections are historically difficult for the incumbent government but those sort of numbers must still have come as a shock.

It’s starting to feel like we have seen all this before.

Bob Carr was a reluctant opposition leader before going on to become one of this state’s most successful premiers. Luke Foley must be hoping his political career can follow a similar path.

Eighteen months ago that seems impossible. But now, who knows?

Politics can be a funny old game sometimes.