This would be part of Labor’s $300 million Cool Schools policy which would add to the $500 million budgeted by the  Berejiklian government for improved learning environments.

However in a public dispute on Mr Lawrence’s Facebook, he and Nationals MP for Dubbo Troy Grant debated whether Labor’s policy was required in the electorate.

“Dubbo doesn't need a Foley Labor Government to deliver air con to every public school in Dubbo. Every public school in Dubbo is ALREADY air conditioned! The NSW Department of Education has confirmed this,” Mr Grant said. 

Mr Lawrence questioned his rival’s stance, asking if all classrooms and learning areas in every school was adequately air conditioned.

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Responding to questions from the Daily Liberal, Mr Lawrence said he doubted Mr Grant’s claims.

“Data we have pieced together from various freedom of information requests indicates that as many as half of the schools in the Dubbo electorate may not have air-conditioning in all ‘habitable spaces’,” he said.

“A future Labor government would undertake a full audit to work out exactly where more air-conditioning is required based on need across the state.”

Mr Lawrence said there were P & Cs in the region that were fundraising for cooling, something that wouldn’t be necessary if Mr Grant’s claims were correct.

The Labor candidate said he saw air conditioning as a crucial requirement for schools in the region.

“Our summer temperatures across the electorate of Dubbo are some of the highest in the state and our winters are very cold. 

“Labor’s ‘Cool Schools’ policy, particularly with its plan to use solar panels to help off-set running costs, make sense for our electorate.”

Troy Grant has been contacted for clarification and comment but has not responded.