While it won’t be determined until March 2019, Mathew Dickerson is kick-starting his campaign trail ahead of time.
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The former Dubbo Mayor is running for Dubbo MP as an independent, aiming to replace Troy Grant who currently holds the position as a member of the National Party.
Dickerson was tossing up the idea of running for the position for two years before encouragement from his children pushed him over the line.
“I told them I could spend $100,000 of my money over the next 10-12 months to campaign...” he said.
”Or, I could not do it and we could go on a pretty nice holiday in 12 months time… what do you want to do?
“And the kids, to their credit, said ‘dad you need to do it. Go for it.’
“So, if they’re OK to throw away a holiday because they think I can make a difference in the electorate then it’s my responsibility to do it.”
It’s been roughly 15 years since Dickerson entered the world of politics as he felt he could make a difference in Dubbo back in 2003.
“I thought our council in Dubbo wasn’t doing a great job but I didn’t want to be one of those people who sat back and complained and did nothing,” he said.
“I put my hand up and had a crack and it was always going to be tough because Dubbo had council members who had been elected on tickets or on groups.
“I didn’t believe in the concept of groups or tickets so I made the announcement I was going to stand as an independent and everyone told me I was crazy because independents didn’t get elected in our council.
“In 2004, the election was held and I managed to get onto the council and the next year I became deputy mayor before becoming the mayor in 2011 before we were unfortunately amalgamated in 2016.”
While a lot of the main benefits of running as an individual won’t be apparent unless he’s elected, Dickerson believes one of the best things an independent can do is truly represent the electorate that has elected them.
“That’s one place where some parties have lost their way,” he said.
“They’re not representing the people first, they’re representing the party first.
“As an independent, the great thing is, I can be an independent voice. My single job is to make sure everything I do is for the electorate and people in the electorate.
“I don’t have a party I’ve got to be loyal to, I don’t have a position in a party I need to maintain. All I need to make sure, is ensure everything I do is focused on the electorate first.
“The voice of the electorate, the voice of 80,000 people, needs to be represented by someone and that can be done better through an independent person much better than a party.”
Dickerson’s ties with the region go back four generations as he was born and bred in Dubbo.
Not only that, his wife grew up in Dunedoo and her family has a long history in Mudgee and Gulgong so he feels a special connection to the Mid-Western Region.
“This job is perfect for me,” he said.