The future of the NSW Nationals in Dubbo will be decided tonight when the Dubbo Electorate Council meets to discuss preselection for the now vacant position.
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Dubbo MP Troy Grant announced last week he would retire at the March 2019 state election, just over a week before nominations for preselection were due to close on Saturday, July 21.
The announcement has already seen “a number of people” inquire about applying for preselection, NSW Nationals state director Ross Cadell said.
A phone hookup will be held at 6pm to decide whether to extend the deadline for nominations.
NSW Nationals State Director Ross Cadell said Mr Grant had been a shoo-in to gain preselection.
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“There was a preselection process in place … and it was an expectation that Troy was going to continue so we don’t know if that put off some potential candidates in putting their hands up,” Mr Cadell said.
“He would have been preselected without any concerns and his position in the polling was strong as well. We would have held the seat.
“There was no danger to him that would have pushed him to go. He’s made the decision himself and with our support.”
It is not yet known who will throw their hat in the ring to replace Mr Grant.
Dubbo Regional councillor Jane Diffey has ruled herself out, saying “I’ll just do my time on council”, while former Dubbo mayor Greg Matthews also said he was “not interested”.
“To go down there and start a new career at this stage in my life is not something that interests me that greatly,” he said.
“You never rule anything out, but I can’t imagine a set of circumstances that would get me to do it.”