YOU can't look at the Tamworth university funding without being sceptical - it was less than expected, there was no grand declaration and it was up to a visibly disappointed mayor to make a rushed announcement at the airport.
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Some are saying the failure to deliver the full $43 million is an indication the Nationals believe they've already won the Tamworth electorate.
And in the National Party's defence, why would you spend $43 million, when you can spend just over half that and still get the same result?
"Value for money," the party higher-ups will say.
That's the danger of being seen as a safe seat. You get overlooked in favour of the electorates that could be toppled.
Just look at the resources thrown at Wagga Wagga during last year's by-election.
At least $130 million was invested in to the long-time Liberal seat because the government thought it would be lost to independent Joe McGirr (and it was).
To be fair, it sounds like the NSW government's $16 million back down took Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson by surprise as well.
He's put a positive spin on the situation: "Before, there was no money on the table, it was just a pipe dream with numbers being tossed around…. now, we've got $26.6 million in writing".
But despite toeing the party line, Mr Anderson would be as frustrated as everyone else.
He's been hard at work for a number of months to bring this to fruition.
To leave the project short, after all the behind-the-scenes rhetoric around the magically $43 million number, isn't a great look - but, that's up to the voters to decide.
There's still every chance the Coalition will come back to the table with the remaining $16 million post-election (if it wins the election).
And who knows?
If the NSW government starts to feel the heat from the community outrage, it might just be able to dip in to that $3 billion surplus and find the remaining money.
