MP Troy Grant’s retirement means the seat of Dubbo will not be contested by an incumbent member for the first time in nearly eight years.

Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence acknowledged Mr Grant’s achievements but said he now has questions to answer.  

“This is a bloke who went from being a police inspector in Dubbo in 2011 to the Minister for Police. A bloke who went from not being a member of the National party, to being it’s leader,” he said. 

“I am however calling on Troy now that he is a lame duck local member to tell us if there are any government or corporate jobs set for him. The timing of this announcement is a bit fishy ... There have been many rumors swirling around town. Those rumors should be addressed.

“I think elections are always more competitive when there’s not an incumbent MP.”

Cr Lawrence said the 2019 state election will be competitive. 

“This is a historical opportunity for this community to elect a Country Labor MP and send a message to Macquarie Street that this community will no longer be taken for granted.

Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields thanked Mr Grant for his public service as a police officer and local member. 

“During Mr Grant’s time in office, the region has benefited from significant investment in local infrastructure and he has allocated funding to many major capital works across the region,” he said. 

"Beyond my political differences with Troy I hope he enjoys his time away from politics, it's can be a very tough and nasty game." 

Independent candidate for Dubbo Mathew Dickerson congratulated Mr Grant for his seven years of service in parliament.  

"We had five years of working very closely together, the relationship between state and local government is a very important one,” he said. 

“Now I am focusing on doing the best job going forward as an Independent candidate.”