Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott speaking at a community forum in Laurieton yesterday.
Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott speaking at a community forum in Laurieton yesterday.
LYNE MP Rob Oakeshott addressed a much smaller, calmer crowd at the first of this year's community forums in Laurieton yesterday.
About 30 people gathered in the Laurieton School of Arts hall compared to 160 at the town's forum in August last year.
Questions from the floor focused on political scandals including accusations against Parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper and mismanagement of funding from the Health Services Union.
"I'd much prefer to see the scandals than not," Mr Oakeshott said, which generated applause. "Why are people agitated about knowing now? There should be greater agitation about who was covering it up for so long."
If policy changes were based on political strategies, Mr Oakeshott said he would not stand in the way of an early election.
"Either introduce policy for the good of the people or let the Australian public sort it out," he said. If Prime Minister Julia Gillard is told to step down from her position by her party, Mr Oakeshott said it would signify the "tearing up" of his agreement with her.
The Independent MP described the sacking of Kevin Rudd as "disgraceful".
He said if Labor was to again engage in a leadership shuffle, Mr Oakeshott would withdraw support for the party.
"It aint going to happen on my watch," he said.
Laurieton hosted the first of seven forums this time around.
The Harrington Function Centre hosted the second forum last night.
Today Wingham residents will be invited to have their say and tonight Wauchope will get it's turn.
Port Macquarie will conclude the forums, with the final event hosted on August 7 at the CWA Hall from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
More than 630 people flocked to a series of forums last year.
