on 26-06-2013 09:36 AM
Thanks for your contribution.
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1782410/Rob-Oakeshott-to-quit-politics
Federal independent MP Rob Oakeshott announces he will not contest the September 14 election.
The man who gave Julia Gillard the final vote to form minority government in 2010 is walking away from politics.
Rob Oakeshott has announced he will not contest the September 14 election, opening the way for The Nationals to recover his NSW seat of Lyne.
"Now is the moment," the independent MP told his local newspaper on Wednesday.
Mr Oakeshott had been considering his future for some months following a bruising three years in a hung parliament.
With fellow rural independent Tony Windsor, Mr Oakeshott gave Labor the last votes it needed on the floor of parliament to form government after an indecisive election in 2010.
He announced the decision after famously making a rambling explanation that lasted 17 minutes.
Since then, he has backed the Gillard government on most issues, but especially for supply and confidence.
His initial stance and continued support for the government was almost certain to cost him his seat at the September election.
"I have done everything I said I was going to do and done the best I can," Mr Oakeshott said, adding there was "no question" the past three years had been the toughest of his life.
He accepted some of his critics would suggest he was running away from the challenge.
"Those who throw opinions around and try to bully and push members of parliament from the sidelines - they're nothing."
Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce, who is contesting Mr Windsor's seat of New England, refused to criticise Mr Oakeshott.
He described him as "a decent man" who had no malice.
"I wish him the best for the future," Senator Joyce told ABC radio.
Mr Oakeshott became the youngest serving MP in NSW politics after narrowly winning a 1996 by-election for the seat of Port Macquarie for The Nationals.
In 2002, he resigned from the party, before being re-elected as an independent the following year.
He claimed the federal seat of Lyne in a 2008 by-election, following the retirement of former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile.
It was the first time the seat had been taken from the National Party in almost 60 years.
on 26-06-2013 10:14 AM
Joyce is a lucky moron, windsor was 10 points ahead in the poll.. heart condition .
Methinks the malady is lower than the heart, more like in the nether regions, there are a couple of things missing 🙂
on 26-06-2013 10:18 AM
Oakeshott lacks the intestinal fortitude to face the electorate after he defied their wishes 3 years ago.
The writing is on the wall so he now cuts and runs.
Rubbish, he delivered more for his area than the Nats did in 60 years.
on 26-06-2013 10:18 AM
Methinks the malady is lower than the heart, more like in the nether regions, there are a couple of things missing 🙂
well he was well ahead. joyce's problem is higher.. in the idiots head. its a sad day when a foaming half-wit like him is handed a seat he didn't look like winning .
on 26-06-2013 10:19 AM
Windsor hinted that the last election would be his last. People were hoping he changed his mind.
on 26-06-2013 10:20 AM
Tarred with the same brush, brothers, except Windsor does not have a young family.
Resigning tor "health" reasons perhaps?
They tell me that lack of intestines and other nether organs is not good for your health
Tarred with the same brush?
Yeah a lot better a brush than the one that tarred you, that's obvious.
Where are your displays of courage?
on 26-06-2013 10:23 AM
Now now now let's not get personal. It's a violation of board police you know.
on 26-06-2013 10:23 AM
Notice the trend, always abuse and bitterness in LL's post, always name calling and running anyone on the right down... Lots of hatred there that consumes him on a daily basis.
Dont worry lakey September 14 is fast approaching and Australia will be put out of its misery with the end of Julia/Rudd and the labor party.
well he was well ahead. joyce's problem is higher.. in the idiots head. its a sad day when a foaming half-wit like him is handed a seat he didn't look like winning .
on 26-06-2013 10:25 AM
This happens to be a democtatic board and anyone can post on anythread they choose, Just ask flashie or JMK 🙂
on 26-06-2013 10:39 AM
I have met Tony Windsor on a few occasions in his office and he is a very likeable man, I still believe he sold his soul along with Oakshot to the Labor party only for what they could get for their own electorates and did not think beyond those boundaries and what JG,S government may do to mess up this country. I don't think they realised the lies and back peddling she would do on promises given when they decided to support her party.
I believe Tony Windsor may very well have lost his seat to Barnaby Joyce so to retire before that possibility is a wise move.
Oakshot has never impressed me as a parliamentarian ( a bit of a yes man) but I have never met him so I cannot make any personal assumptions about him.
Farewell to both independents, I hope Barnaby Joyce does a great job.
on 26-06-2013 10:43 AM
"hope'' being the right word :^O joyce is far and away the biggest idiot in the parliament.
windsor was ahead of him in the polls .. fool got lucky.