Speaking hours after a bill passed through parliament banning greyhound racing from July 1, 2017, Shayne Stiff said there needs to be a viable option for voters.

“I’d beg Mathew Dickerson to stand against Troy Grant at the next election,” Mr Stiff said.

“Our industry has been let down by a local member who hasn’t listened to constituents in his area and a racing minister that has shut down a racing code.

“I know that Nationals voters won’t vote for Labor but I find Mathew is a strong man, a man of his word, and as an Independent he wouldn’t be backing city decisions that have country consequences.”

Mr Dickerson’s family has a strong affinity with greyhound racing, with his father Roy being a two-time president of the Dubbo club.

The function room area at Dawson Park is also named in honour of the man who built it and put in plenty of hours at the track during his time as president.

“I actually sat down and watched Kevin Humphries speak on the bill, he was one of three Nationals to cross the floor and nobody was standing behind him as he spoke,” Mr Dickerson said.

“Greyhound racing holds a place in my heart through the work dad did for the club, and to be honest I think it’s ridiculous how quickly the government has smashed this through parliament.”

While he’s against the greyhound ban and a noted opponent of the NSW government’s controversial council amalgamation scheme, Mr Dickerson reaffirmed his previously-stated position as far as standing for election in 2019.

“If a state election was being held tomorrow I would definitely stand but 2019 is such a long way away,” he said.

“I’m flattered by what Shayne Stiff has had to say but I will evaluate things over the next couple of years.

“I am disappointed by the lack of genuine representation Dubbo currently has in state parliament.

“It’s called the House of Representatives, not the House of Personal Opinion. Each member is elected to represent their people.”