Independent MPs defend policy stance

October 24th, 2011

FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda

AAP

Key independents have launched a passionate defence of their policy positions as a new poll shows they are likely to lose their seats at the next election.

NSW independents Rob Oakeshott, who holds the seat of Lyne on the mid-north coast, and New England MP Tony Windsor sided with Labor after the 2010 election to allow Julia Gillard to form a minority government.

They also helped draft, and voted in favour of, the carbon pricing scheme which comes into effect on July 1, 2012.

A Newspoll published on Monday shows Mr Windsor’s primary support has fallen from 61.9 per cent to 33 per cent and he trails the Nationals 47-53 per cent after preferences.

Mr Oakeshott’s primary support has collapsed from 47.1 per cent at the time of the 2010 election to 26 per cent.

After preferences, the Nationals lead 62-38 per cent in Lyne.

The pair face pressure from the coalition, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott accusing them of failing their voters and pledging to target the seats.

“I think some of the independent members of parliament haven’t been listening to their electorates and if you don’t listen to your electorate you pay a price,” Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne.

Mr Oakeshott said the coalition and Labor had held inconsistent positions on carbon pricing, but he had made it known at the 2007 and 2010 polls he supported the policy.

“Unlike many others, I won’t change my mind on what the experts say is the lowest-cost, lowest-risk insurance policy against the risk of climate change,” Mr Oakeshott said.

“We should demand results, consistency and resolve from our political representatives.”

He said voters would swing around to carbon pricing once they became aware of the household and industry assistance.

Mr Windsor puts the loss of support down to anti-carbon tax sentiment whipped up by the coalition.

“I guess that is because of the fear campaign that was run,” he told ABC radio.

“It’s obvious they don’t know the detail – the detail hasn’t been well marketed.”

The Nationals have yet to select candidates for the two seats, but the party’s 2010 election candidate, David Gillespie, a friend of Mr Abbott’s, has been active in the area this year.

Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce is considering a shift to the lower house, and could stand in New England if he can’t get preselected in Queensland.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has temporarily moved her office to Perth, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) starting on Friday.

Ms Gillard plans to meet with business leaders, representatives of key non-government organisations and foreign dignitaries in the lead-up to the summit which she will chair.