The NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant surged ahead in the counting of votes for the seat of Dubbo on Tuesday.
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- Wellington pre-polling gave Mr Grant 564 votes, Stephen Lawrence of Country Labor 271, Peter Scherer Christian Democrats 23, Ben Shepherd of the No Land Tax Party 21, Rod Pryor 21, Matt Parmeter Greens 18 and Colin Hamilton 14. Mr Grant has ended with 68.55 per cent of the two party preferred vote over Stephen Lawrence with 31.45 per cent.
The NSW Premier Mike Baird and his deputy are expected to name a revamped cabinet within a few days.
Meanwhile, Country Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence said his party had done better.
"I congratulate Troy Grant on retaining the seat of Dubbo. I wish him and his family all the best for the next four years. Mr Grant is in a strong position to fight for more resources for Dubbo and I wish him all the best in that important work. He has been a formidable opponent and I hope he achieves much for the electorate over the next four years," he said.
I also congratulate all the other locally based candidates in the election. Particularly Colin Hamilton and Matt Parmeter who campaigned hard and received significant primary votes, no doubt in part because of their absolute integrity and fine personal reputations.
"I want to thank the thousands of people who voted for Country Labor across the electorate. I also want to thank the Labor Party in Dubbo and all my supporters and volunteers who have worked so hard.
"It appears on the count so far that we have achieved the highest primary Labor vote in 20 years in this seat.
"I am hopeful that some of the issues and needs I have highlighted in the campaign continue to be advanced. These have included a major boost to the annual budget of the local health service, a rehabilitation centre, a Drug Court, justice reinvestment projects, additional palliative care services for Dubbo and a boost to police numbers within the Orana and Mudgee Local Area commands.''
