Work started yesterday for the incoming Dubbo MP Troy Grant who soundly defeated the incumbent, Independent Dawn Fardell, in the NSW state election.
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Mr Grant, who polled 63.5 per cent two candidate preferred, has already upped considerable voter expectations saying a better plan for Dubbo Base Hospital could be put “on the table”. “I am really looking forward to sitting down with (incoming Health Minister) Jillian Skinner and working with local doctors and all the people there to come up with a total plan rather than this staged approach,” he said.
Ultimately the choice would be left to the community, he said. Riding a wave of Labor resentment, National Party resurgence and a platform of promises the soon-to-be former police officer secured a 14.5 per cent swing for The Nationals.
Mr Grant achieved what four of his predecessors Greg Matthews, Jen Cowley, Mark Horton and Richard Mutton had failed to do - removing the Dubbo independent thorn which had been lodged in the party’s side since 1999.
Ms Fardell, who became the local member in a 2004 by-election, won 36.5 per cent of the vote two candidate preferred.
The successor to former Dubbo MP Tony McGrane knew she was in trouble after just two booths were counted. She admitted she had expected to lose since last November.
Warning against an all-powerful Coalition, Ms Fardell confirmed she was quitting politics.
The resurrection of The Nationals, who picked up a predicted 18 seats on Saturday, has thrown up many questions - from regional power blocks to which MPs will be offered ministerial positions.
Mr Grant played down any expectation of being given a portfolio in the new government.
“Nothing’s been promised to me and I’ve asked for nothing,” he said.
“I’ll be serving as the member for Dubbo.”
He said the electorate had handed him a mandate to deliver and he was aware of the hefty expectations.
“I understand the accountability I am now under and the responsibility I have to deliver on those key commitments,” Mr Grant said.
Asked if the increase in the number of Nationals MPs would jeopardise funding for Dubbo projects he said:
“They are Coalition policies they have been put together by all of us so I’m very confident that we can deliver.”
Re-elected Barwon MP Kevin Humphries wants to unite with his new colleagues on regional health and infrastructure solutions.
In 2008 Mr Humphries highlighted the credit problems of Greater Western Area Health Service and has a keen interest in Dubbo Base Hospital.
“People want to see a regional response to health, infrastructure and roads,” he said.
“Independent candidates are not able to do that.
“People like me are keen to see Dubbo as a centre for administration for western NSW.
“Dubbo needs to see itself as the door to western NSW.’’
The Nationals also picked off independents in Port Macquarie and Tamworth leaving Northern Tablelands MP Richard Torbay as the only regional independent. They won Bathurst from Labor with an enormous 36.6 per cent swing.
Dubbo returning officer Katherine Reid said no postal votes had yet been counted and that about 6200 pre-poll votes in Dubbo had been counted for first preferences.
Another 2000 pre-poll votes in Parkes and Forbes were still to be counted.
Ms Reid said that through this week the exchange of absentee and postal votes would take place across the state and by Thursday a final result would be known. Declaration of the vote is expected next Monday.