Vaile's seat under threat

AN INDEPENDENT from the NSW Parliament is a strong prospect to snatch the seat of former Nationals leader Mark Vaile, cutting the party's numbers in the House of Representatives to nine.

By InvestSMART · 31 Jul 2008

By InvestSMART ·
31 Jul 2008

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AN INDEPENDENT from the NSW Parliament is a strong prospect to snatch the seat of former Nationals leader Mark Vaile, cutting the party's numbers in the House of Representatives to nine.

Rob Oakeshott, the state member for Port Macquarie, said yesterday he was "firming in his decision" to stand in the federal seat of Lyne. He has rejected overtures to contest as a Liberal.

Elected to the NSW Parliament as a National in a 1996 byelection, he served as a frontbencher but left the Nationals in 2001. He has won two elections as an independent. In 2007 he polled about 67% of the primary vote.

There was speculation before the 2004 election that Mr Oakeshott might run against Mr Vaile.

The Nationals will decide their candidate in a plebiscite at the weekend. MICHELLE GRATTAN

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Vaile's seat under threat

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