State 'mates' weigh in on choosing sides

THE intrigue surrounding the negotiations to form a new government took an unlikely turn last night.

THE intrigue surrounding the negotiations to form a new government took an unlikely turn last night.

A NSW state independent MP revealed he would be part of the discussion with one of the three federal independents.

State MP for Port Macquarie Peter Besseling said he had flown to Canberra to assist federal independent MP Rob Oakeshott, "a close mate", to decide whether to side with Labor or the Coalition.

Mr Besseling's state seat is in the heart of Mr Oakeshott's seat of Lyne on the NSW mid-north coast, and he said he was providing a much needed "sounding board" and support as "Rob is obviously under a great deal of pressure".

When asked if his own electorate's concerns were part of his advice to Mr Oakeshott, Mr Besseling said: "It's a matter for Rob to make his decision in the best interest of the Australian public and his constituency."

But Mr Besseling said health infrastructure was a big issue in his electorate and the debate on broadband was important to people in rural areas.

"It would open up a lot more opportunity for areas such as ours; we're not just talking about access to broadband for home-users, but also for business opportunity," he said.

The federal rural independents have often quoted broadband and health as examples of superior Labor policies, given the federal government's promise to construct a universal high-speed broadband service and proceed with its national health plan.

Mr Besseling is just one of the independents in the NSW lower house who are concerned about the way the decision of the federal independents will affect state issues.

Dawn Fardell, independent state member for the NSW seat of Dubbo, said: "At a federal level, the election result shows there is widespread dissatisfaction with both major parties.

"I think Gillard and Abbott should sit down with the independents and work something out," she said.

"The people have spoken and the result should be respected. We definitely should not be looking to have another election."

Peter Draper, independent state member for the NSW seat of Tamworth, said he viewed the impasse in the same way as federal independent for New England, Tony Windsor.

He pointed to the NSW hung parliament in the early 1990s as proof that such a scenario could still deliver "robust debate and good outcomes".