A fresh Labor of love

The Dubbo-based barrister said he would seek the endorsement of Country Labor to run as their candidate and would stand in the East Dubbo ward.

If endorsed, Mr Lawrence would be the first candidate to run in the Dubbo Regional Council with political alignment. 

“For me there was never really a choice,” he said.

“I would never have run as a so-called independent because I am a member of Country Labor Party, I believe in the policies of Country Labor so for me there was never a choice.”

Mr Lawrence, who previously worked for the Aboriginal Legal Service before becoming a barrister specialising in public law, said he felt his services could be useful.

“I’d like to think I’ve got some perspectives and expertise that would be of assistance to the council,” he said.

“I think in some ways a council is like a board of directors of a company and should have a range of perspectives and skills on it and I could bring my legal skills.”

Mr Lawrence said he felt the election would come down to trust, and who would be best placed to deliver council services. He said in terms of specific issues, the third bin was important and said he supported it.

“If I get elected to council I will be supporting the third bin, the administrator has already basically done that deal and I wouldn’t seek to undo it. But I would be putting the perspective that people who need that weekly pickup, including people with home care, medical problems and with small children, aren’t financially penalised for a weekly pickup,” he said.

Mr Lawrence said the organic bin brought environmental benefits and also presented council with financial opportunities.

After running for Labor at the 2015 state election, Mr Lawrence said he hadn’t ruled out standing again in 2019 but said he wasn’t looking to run for council to raise his profile and was focused on making a difference at a local government level.