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Oakeshott questions 'smear campaign'

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has questioned coalition tactics after receiving a "Rambo-style" phone call from a senior Liberal.

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Rob Oakeshott, private member

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Source: AAP


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Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has questioned coalition tactics after receiving a "Rambo-style" phone call from a senior Liberal.

He also wants to know whether a smear campaign reportedly being launched against him is an attempt to destabilise his negotiations with the major parties.

Mr Oakeshott, who is in Canberra this week to continue talks, is seeking a "please explain" from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

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He has already received an apology from an unnamed Liberal who called claiming to be "the Devil" when his wife answered.

It follows reports that Liberal backbencher Alby Schultz phoned and abused fellow independent Tony Windsor, telling him to back the coalition in forming government.

Mr Oakeshott said Mr Abbott needs to come clean on whether the calls were part of a wider Liberal strategy.

"If these are Rambo-style phone calls that I'm receiving from loose cannons, that's fine," Mr Oakeshott told ABC Radio on Monday.

"But what is of deeper concern is ... is this a strategic move to try and destabilise this whole process?

"If that is the game, that needs to be flushed out early."

Mr Oakeshott also pointed the finger at the Nationals over tabloid newspapers that were "trying to run up dirt stories" on him.

Dismissing the "diversion", Mr Oakeshott wants to make a decision on who he will be supporting by the end of this week.

He expects to meet with Prime Minister Julia Gillard later on Monday and Mr Abbott as soon as possible, when he's planning to get a better idea of both parties' costings.

Mr Oakeshott, who has not ruled out supporting either party, said he's still hopeful of consensus politics even if the major camps are not inclined to agree.


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