Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott
THE electorate will be the first to hear Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott’s political intentions ahead of the federal election.
In late January, Rob Oakeshott declared he would announce in mid-March whether or not he would contest the election with a range of factors from unfinished political business to family life influencing his decision.
The national media reported yesterday Mr Oakeshott was likely to wait until after the May budget to reveal his decision.
Mr Oakeshott told the Port News when the time came to make an announcement, it would not be the national media that found out first, it would be his community.
“I haven’t had time to think about the September 14 election and what I may or may not do because I’m focused on what I have to do in this parliament,” he said.
“Today [March 12], for instance, has been about getting water recognised in law as a trigger for federal intervention on CSG [coal seam gas] and large coal mining developments, media law reforms and trying to stop part of $1 billion Tony (Windsor) and I secured for regional Australia being spent in western Sydney.
“Unlike a great many other people obsessing about the next parliament, I’m focused on doing my job on behalf of my community in this parliament.”
Two candidates, The Nationals’ David Gillespie and Ian Oxenford for The Greens, are confirmed to contest the seat of Lyne on September 14.