Rob Oakeshott weighs return to politics, for love or money

Former independent MP Rob Oakeshott could be set for a return to politics, in a move that could net him tens of thousands of dollars in public funding.

Rob Oakeshott in his kitchen during his 2016 campaign. Picture: Britta Campion

Former independent MP Rob Oakeshott could be set for a return to politics, given mounting speculation he will make another tilt for the Nationals-held seat of Cowper at the federal election in a move that could net him tens of thousands of dollars in public funding.

At the 2016 election, the 48-year-old received 26.3 per cent, or 27,200, of first-preference votes when he was defeated by retiring Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker, a result that earned the former independent $71,477 in election funding.

Mr Oakeshott, who announced his candidacy for that election just three weeks before polling day and ran his campaign from his kitchen, rejected claims at the time he had run only to scoop up election funds.

In the aftermath of that election, he revealed he had spent $52,000 on his campaign and after recouping costs, he would put any leftover election funding towards contesting Cowper at the following election.

Mr Oakeshott did not respond to a question from The Australian today that sought to confirm he still intended to contest the seat at the next election.

A retirement announcement in August by the incumbent Mr Hartsuyker — who has held ­Cowper for the past 17 years — has ­helped fuel speculation that Mr Oakeshott will stick to the commitment he made after the last election and run.

However, it is understood that the strength of the candidate preselected by the Nationals in ­Cowper will influence his ­decision.

The Port Macquarie-based former politician unsuccessfully ran for Cowper after electoral redistributions shifted his hometown out of Lyne, a seat he had won at a 2008 by-election and then retained at the 2010 general election.

Election funding is given to candidates who receive at least 4 per cent of the primary vote in an election.

Mr Oakeshott has been studying medicine at the University of NSW campus in Port Macquarie for the past two years.