Company denies Oakeshott traded favours for donations

08 Oct 2010

Source:  The Australian

One of Independent MP Rob Oakeshott's biggest political donors has denied the MP campaigned on the company's behalf for access to defence contracts. The accusation was that he campaigned in leadership negotiations after the federal election. A senior employee at Port Macquarie-based contractor Birdon Marine said claims Mr Oakeshott had benefited financially from the company for his political advocacy were "ridiculous".

Birdon Marine donated $5000 to Mr Oakeshott for the August 21 election. The company also gave more than $15,000 to the member for Lyne's state election campaigns between 2002 and 2007. It was revealed yesterday that information was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption 10 days ago by the NSW Liberal Party, which claimed Mr Oakeshott lobbied state and federal governments for projects that could have benefited Birdon Marine.

Mr Oakeshott said yesterday he would not be addressing the issue until Monday, when he returned from leave after the birth of his son on Wednesday. However, a manager with Birdon Marine -- who asked not to be named -- told The Australian yesterday whoever referred the information to the ICAC had "completely misconstrued" the situation. "It's farcical to think you'd want to persuade an MP during a tender process . . . it's just ridiculous," the employee said.

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