Lyne MP Rob Oakeshott has spoken out after claims by the Sunday Telegraph newspaper he felt targeted by media, which has caused a popularity backlash, among other accusations published.
The Sunday Telegraph articles were titled “Ray is out to get me” and “Oakeshott’s dummy spit at the media”.
Mr Oakeshott said, “In no interview have I stated that I blame ‘shock jocks’ for anything to do with current politics. I am not one to use the term ‘shock jocks’ and, as stated in radio and newspaper interviews during the week, I do not ‘blame’ anyone for anything to do with current politics, other than myself.”
He said in no way has he stated that “Ray’s out to get me”, as the headline implied; or “admitted my conservative-minded electorate has turned on me”, as this article states.
“In no way do I underestimate the concerns of my constituents or my need to communicate with them more clearly about the decisions I have made and the benefits to our region. In this regard, I would therefore like to clarify the report in today’s Sunday Telegraph,” Mr Oakeshott said on Sunday.
“In an interview during the week with the Sunday Telegraph, I challenged Ray Hadley and Chris Mitchell to a town-hall style debate on their values and my values and on who is really representing the community, as opposed to dividing the community. This offer remains.”
The radio and newspaper items referred to above can be found at; http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2011/03/29/3176564.htm and http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/oakeshott-lays-it-on-the-lyne/2117890.aspx
