Member for Dubbo Troy Grant admits he is heartened by results in two regional byelections over the weekend, but says they will do little to impact his decision on whether to stand for the 2019 State election.
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Mr Grant also believes that if he does run for a third term representing Dubbo he would be able to comfortably hold off any challenge presented by other parties or independent candidates
Nationals candidates Steph Cooke and Austin Evans were victorious in the polls held in Cootamundra and Murray on Saturday, albeit with significant swings against them.
Cooke received more than 45 per cent of the primary vote but the swing was about 20 per cent away from the Nationals, while Evans defied a swing of about 15 per cent to win Murray.
Those swings, however, were not as damaging as the Orange byelection of 2016 which saw Phil Donato of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party elected to parliament.
“I’m happy that we were able to maintain those seats, but I think what is being watered down is that swings happen in every byelection,” Mr Grant said.
“It’s up to us as a government to listen when the community is passing judgement, and we will, but in saying that we have delivered 10 times more for regional communities than anyone else, whether it gets acknowledged or not.
“While every electorate is different, the Shooters and Fishers campaign in Cootamundra was disgraceful and made up of smears and lies, but people are starting to see through those.”
While buoyed by the results from the weekend, Mr Grant is adamant they will have no bearing on whether he contests the 2019 election.
There have been rumblings that the former deputy premier may step away from politics, but he said his focus is on doing the best job possible.
“I’ve said publicly before that I will make my mind up 12 months out from the election,” he said.
“I will speak with my family and work out what is best for us, because it’s a four-year commitment and I’m not someone who would cause a byelection half-way through a term.
“I saw some industry polling recently which was done with several candidates included, including Ben Shields and Mathew Dickerson, and my primary was sitting at 63 per cent in that polling.
“I have no fears about losing the seat of Dubbo, and whether I run or not has nothing to do with that.