Even the narrowest of Coalition victories would represent a mandate to privatise the state's electricity assets, NSW Premier Mike Baird says, rejecting suggestions a sizeable swing against the government would strip it of the right to push through the plan.

Both big parties have framed this month's state election as a referendum on the government's proposal to partially lease the state's electricity "poles and wires".

Premier Mike Baird MP has announced NSW public service jobs would be found for young veterans leaving the Defence Force. Credit:Edwina Pickles

An estimated $20 billion in proceeds would be used to build significant infrastructure such as a second harbour rail crossing.

Labor has pledged to keep the assets in public hands and deliver what it says is a more prudent $10 billion infrastructure package that would delay the harbour crossing by four years and scrap a proposed road tunnel under Sydney's inner west.