Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields has put an end to months of speculation by declaring he will not stand for state parliament at the March 2019 election.
Councillor Shields has long been seen as an undeclared candidate for the race, which received a shakeup last week when Nationals MP Troy Grant announced he would not stand for a third term.
Country Labor councillor Stephen Lawrence announced his intention to run earlier this year, followed by former Dubbo Mayor Mathew Dickerson in May.
I’ve decided I’m not a candidate ... I seriously considered but I’m out.
- Mayor Ben Shields on the NSW 2019 election race
On Sunday Mr Dickerson wrote on his public Facebook page that, while he had been approached over the years, he believed in being an independent, to avoid having to vote along party lines.
Cr Shields took issue with the post, commenting “Mathew you once asked me to arrange you to be a Liberal candidate. You were refused. Don’t play silly games”.
A discussion ensued, before Cr Shields wrote “I’ve decided I’m not a candidate so there is no gain for me either way”.
“… interesting to see that you are declaring 100% that you will definitely not be a candidate at the next State Government election,” Mr Dickerson wrote.
“Mathew Dickerson yep,” Cr Shields responded.
“Lots asked me. I seriously considered but I’m out.”
The Daily Liberal asked Cr Shields if he was really ruling himself out of contention.
“I wasn’t necessarily in to start with,” he said.
“I’ve got nothing really to add because I don’t want to put speculation out there.
“What I will say is I’ve got a huge job to do as the Mayor of the Dubbo region … my focus is to be the best Mayor of Dubbo I can be.”
Cr Shields’ declaration leaves Mr Dickerson and Mr Lawrence as the only two candidates confirmed for the seat of Dubbo at the March 23 election.
It is not yet known who will replace Mr Grant as the Nationals candidate, with the Dubbo Electorate Council still accepting nominations for preselection.
