Orange by-election: Nationals struggle to hold safe seat as greyhound ban bites

IT was one of the safest seats in NSW, but the Nationals have a tough fight on their hands to retain Orange at a critical by-election as muck hits the fan over the greyhounds ban.

• GREYHOUND OWNERS FIGHT BACK OVER BAIRD SLUR

IT was one of the safest seats in NSW, but the Nationals have a tough fight on their hands to retain Orange at a critical by-election.

Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals Leader Troy Grant’s future is said to be on the line in the race for the seat on November 12.

The government is reeling over the reaction to its greyhound industry ban and is set to release a report this week on the chemotherapy underdosing scandal at Orange hospital.

Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Troy Grant.

The Nationals won the last election in Orange with a margin of 71 per cent to 29 per cent, one of the biggest margins in the state.

Internal polling, according to Nationals sources, now has the party hopeful of clinging on to the seat by 53 per cent to 47 per cent, which would represent a whopping 18 per cent swing. The same polling puts the party’s primary vote at 47 per cent.

Andrew Gee vacated the seat of Orange earlier this year.

The Orange poll also showed Premier Mike Baird’s net favourability, the difference between approval and disapproval, at negative 20 and Mr Grant’s at negative six, sources say.

The seat was vacated earlier this year by Andrew Gee, who has now become the federal member for Calare.

News of the polling comes with Nationals MPs Katrina Hodgkinson and Andrew Fraser boycotting Nationals party room meetings this week in the wake of the greyhound ban. Ms Hodgkinson was dumped as a parliamentary secretary by Mr Grant, together with Chris Gulaptis, after they crossed the floor on the greyhound laws.

Premier Mike Baird admitted the government had struggled with its messages lately, despite spending billions on infrastructure.

Yesterday she said she “did not know” whether to ­attend party room meetings again while Mr Grant was leader. Mr Fraser declined to comment.

Mr Baird admitted to 2GB the government had struggled with its messages lately, despite spending billions on infrastructure.

“You can always do better and communication’s a big part of it,” the Premier said.

In Question Time yesterday Mr Grant was asked about the cost of his “Troy coins”, a set of 100 ceremonial “Deputy Premier” coins The Daily Telegraph this week ­revealed he was distributing to dignitaries at taxpayer ­expense.

He said the coins cost $15 a pop to make, meaning that with three per set, the total cost, if extrapolated, would be $4500.