NSW Election 2023: Dubbo candidates, policies and key dates revealed
To reduce the stress of election day, The Dubbo News has a polling booth searchable tool and all the candidate information below.
Dubbo News
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To reduce the stress of election day, The Dubbo News has all candidate information below, including a polling booth searchable tool.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders will be running again in competition with Dubbo Regional Councilor Joshua Black and Shooters, Fishers and farmers representative Kate Richardson.
Mr Black told The Dubbo News that he plans to commit to his council duties if he is elected.
When is the NSW state election and other key dates?
The election will be held on Saturday March 25.
Early voting opens on March 18 and closes the day before election day.
Candidates have been formally announced, and the ballot drawn on March 9 determining the order candidates will appear on the voting paper.
Who are the candidates in the Dubbo electorate?
Dugald Saunders - The Nationals
Dugald Saunders has been the member of the Dubbo electorate since 2019 and has been the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW since 2021.
With his past four years representing Dubbo and having a ministerial role, Mr Saunders aims to “keep changing people’s lives for the better and fight for the things that matter in the community”.
“What you learn along the way is that you can’t please everyone that you are trying to help but we aim to help whether it is a federal matter, a council matter or something that is out of our realm and connect people to the services that they need,” Mr Saunders said.
Mr Saunders said his highlight in more recent times has been advocating and announcing the $2.5 million for the Macquarie Home Stay.
He says he will continue to support more connectivity of services in the region by facilitating infrastructure, cultural, tourism and sporting needs.
Joshua Black - Labor Party
Dubbo region councillor and secondary school teacher Joshua Black is committed to deliver funding for better roads, increase staffing of nurses, midwives and teachers.
With his experience on Dubbo Regional Council, Mr Black says he understands the importance of state support and funding when it comes to providing a larger budget.
“I’ve always been a keen observer of politics and see it as a way to make positive social change in the community,” Mr Black said.
“Everywhere needs immediate action.”
As a secondary school teacher, Mr Black is directly impacted by the “teacher shortage crisis” and how understaffing is impacting the progression of learning in students.
Kate Richardson - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
Kate Richardson says she always had an interest in politics and if she could make a difference to “one person” then she would have achieved something.
She has a passion for addressing the need for an increase in hospital staffing and decreasing the nursing and patient ratio to support better care.
“Essential services have been cut back, they are expecting more but giving less and I think that is wrong,” Ms Richardson said.
“The party I represent is not going to have enough seats to form a government, but I will make people be honest and share our voice.
“I have loved meeting different people,” she continues to say that she will take every opinion into consideration.
Robyn Thomas - The Greens
Robyn Thomas comes from a teaching background, aligning her passions with the public education system and advocating for “quality teaching and learning experiences” outside of metropolitan areas.
“In line with this, the state of public hospitals is jeopardising the lives of many in the regions,” Ms Thomas said.
“Being able to access specialist services is a human right.
“As a mother, grandmother and educator I feel we need to rethink how we tackle the very serious issues facing us.
“The problems we face locally, nationally and globally will be most effectively addressed when politicians and governments and oppositions are more closely attuned to the interconnectedness of things.”
Anthony Nugent - Sustainable Australia Party
Anthony Nugent has a background in small business, manufacturing and farming.
He obtains a Bachelor of Science and is running as a candidate for the party because of its “science and evidence-based approach to policy”.
Mr Nugent is a volunteer for the Rural Fire Service and enjoys riding motorbikes, tennis, golf and snow skiing.
The sixth candidate of the Dubbo electorate is Mark Littlejohn who will be representing the Legalise Cannabis Party.
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