Dubbo MP Troy Grant is refusing to be drawn into an argument with his Labor opponent about his ability to juggle the roles of Deputy Premier, cabinet portfolios and Member for the Dubbo Electorate.
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Stephen Lawrence said he would not seek or accept a Labor ministry position if he and the Labor Party were elected at the upcoming election and called on Mr Grant to do the same.
He said Mr Grant had been a "part-time local member" and had "proven to be incapable of managing the competing demands of his various roles" at the expense of the Dubbo electorate.
Mr Grant refused to comment on Mr Lawrence's statement and said it was "grubby politics from a grubby candidate".
When accepting the role of National Party leader and Deputy Premier of NSW after the resignation of Andrew Stoner in October last year, Mr Grant said he believed his increased presence within the government would be a benefit for Dubbo.
However he had also said if he felt his roles prevented him from being a good member, he would back to just representing his electorate.
Mr Lawrence said he believed that situation had occurred.
"I think the issues that have come to light more than justify him doing what he said he would do," he said.
"The first casualty of Troy's leadership ambitions was his strong stance against the privatisation of the poles and wires.
"This privatisation is opposed by the vast majority of people in the electorate but Troy was still willing to do an about face."
The opposition candidate claimed Mr Grant had been caught out on key local issues such as policing numbers, hospital waiting times and the demise of a state government transport contract for Ogden's Coaches.
"The very real and undeniable reality is we have a part-time local member," Mr Lawrence said.
"Someone who has neglected key local issues like police numbers, waiting lists and local jobs, instead preferring to focus on his leadership ambitions and all the other work they bring upon him.
"People shouldn't take Troy's word for how well he is doing, they should look at the facts.
"The other issue is how well Troy responds to constituent's inquiries and requests for help, the community will draw its own conclusions on that issue."
Mr Lawrence announced during a public forum at Dubbo City Council last week that he would focus solely on representing Dubbo if elected.
"If I have the privilege of being elected as the member for Dubbo I will be 100% focused on local issues and I will ensure this electorate's pressing local needs are advanced on a daily basis," he said.
