After years of sleaze, scandal and industrial-scale corruption, the idea of state politics as a noble calling might seem an alien concept in NSW.
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A new 10-point pledge for politicians is designed to "reset the ethical foundations" of our elected representatives.
The pledge, drafted by the Ethics Centre, says in its preamble that without voluntary ethical restraint "the pursuit and exercise of power risks becoming personal, brutal and self-serving; coarsening the polity, bringing public institutions into disrepute and damaging the common good".
In a commitment aimed squarely at keeping snouts out of the trough, it says politicians will "advance the public interest before any personal, sectional or partisan interest".
And in a timely nod to the rough and tumble of election campaigns, it says those seeking power will "refrain from exploiting my rivals' private failings for political gain".
Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich and Christian Democratic Party leader the Reverend Fred Nile were the first to answer the call to sign the pledge.
"Consider it signed," Mr Greenwich said.
Reverend Nile, who sits in the state's upper house, has already submitted a signed copy.
Hot on their heels are the NSW Greens. Greens MP Jamie Parker, the member for Balmain, said he and his colleagues had agreed to sign the pledge.
"It would be a big step forward if every member of parliament lived up to the Politicians' Pledge. Unfortunately past experience suggests that is an unlikely outcome," he said.
Mr Parker said enforceable codes were required because only the moral abided by voluntary pledges.
The Labor Opposition had not given an indication of whether it would sign the pledge.
A spokesman for Premier Mike Baird said while the premier "wholeheartedly endorses the sentiments expressed in the Politicians' Pledge", all Liberal candidates including the premier were "already required to sign an agreement on the conduct of political fundraising that is the most detailed and comprehensive document of its kind in Australia".
His spokesman said candidates would be judged on their behaviour and actions, not words.
Premier Mike Baird added: "On behalf of the entire Liberal team, my pledge to the people of NSW is that we will always act in your interests, and will do so in an ethical and democratic manner."
Upper house MP Robert Brown, the leader of the Shooters and Fishers Party, said he and his colleague Robert Borsak had considered the pledge and wished to "respectfully decline" the offer to sign up.
He said they took an oath of office to the people of NSW and Australia when they were inaugurated and would "not be taking any pledges to third parties" although their "honesty and integrity is beyond reproach".
Simon Longstaff, executive director of the St James Ethics Centre, said the pledge was entirely voluntary and designed to create a common ethical base which "sits below issues of party, issues of ideology and issues of policy".
The call to candidates to sign the pledge follows a series of corruption inquiries that were held after the March 2011 election. The pledge can be found at: www.smh.com.au/stateelection
Politicians can return their signed pledge to the Ethics Centre via email at politicianspledge@ethics.org.au or upload a photo to social media using hashtag #takethepledge
