Yet Renshaw had difficulty adjusting to a televised campaign; and his manner, the result of spending much of his early life in remote New South Wales, had limited appeal to urban voters.

Continuing cost overruns and construction delays at the Sydney Opera House made problematic the Renshaw government's claims of sound economic management.

The ALP continued to have an ideological difficulty matching the Opposition's promises of state aid for non-government schools, and this was the most decisive issue in the election.

[1][2] In contrast to Renshaw, Robert Askin (who had been the leader of the conservative coalition since 1959) was skilled in his use of television and put forward a positive program.

[2][3] Prior to the election, Independent Frank Purdue had gained the seat of Waratah from the Labor Party at a by-election caused by the death of Edward Greaves.

However, it could rely on the support of two conservative independents--Douglas Darby, a former Liberal who was subsequently readmitted to the party room, and Harold Coates, who had won the seat of Hartley.