Rob Oakeshott

For the English journalist, see Robert Oakeshott.

Rob Oakeshott
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Lyne
In office
6 September 2008 – 5 August 2013
Preceded byMark Vaile
Succeeded byDavid Gillespie
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Port Macquarie
In office
30 November 1996 – 13 August 2008
Preceded byWendy Machin
Succeeded byPeter Besseling
Personal details
Born
Robert James Murray Oakeshott

(1969-12-14) 14 December 1969 (age 54)
Lismore, New South Wales
Political partyNational (1996–2002)
Independent (2002–present)
Residence(s)Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
Macquarie University
University of Wollongong[1]
University of New South Wales (BMed)
OccupationPolitical staffer

Robert James Murray Oakeshott (born 14 December 1969) is a retired Australian politician. He was the independent Member of the House of Representatives for the Division of Lyne in New South Wales from 2008, when he won the 2008 Lyne by-election, until his retirement in 2013. Oakeshott described his views as economically conservative and socially progressive.[2]

Oakeshott began his political career in state politics. Originally elected as the National Party candidate for the state seat of Port Macquarie in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1996, he left the party to become an Independent in 2002. Oakeshott retained the seat until 2008, when he resigned to contest the federal seat of Lyne, which he won with a large margin. He retained Lyne at the 2010 election, again with a large margin.

The 2010 election resulted in a hung parliament, with the diverse crossbench holding the balance of power. Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and other crossbenchers agreed to back the incumbent Gillard Labor government to form minority government, providing it with confidence and supply, while retaining the right to vote on conscience in any other matters.

Oakeshott retired at the 2013 election, choosing not to recontest his seat.[3] Oakeshott contested the Division of Cowper at the 2016 election, challenging National incumbent Luke Hartsuyker. Cowper had absorbed Port Macquarie after the latest redistribution.[4] Oakeshott lost the election, but managed to turn the once-safe National seat into a marginal seat.

On 15 January 2019, Oakeshott announced his candidacy for the seat of Cowper at the 2019 Australian federal election. The Nationals retained the seat with a small swing towards them.[5]

  1. ^ "Oakeshott's dream to be a GP". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  2. ^ Browne, Peter (3 September 2008). "MP wanted for growing rural seat. Mavericks very welcome". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  3. ^ Griffiths, Emma (26 June 2013). "Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott announce they are quitting politics". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Oakeshott to contest federal seat of Cowper". Abc.net.au. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Rob Oakeshott enters federal election race". 14 January 2019.