The Member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott has jumped into bed with Labor on the issue of mad cow disease, according to The Nationals Duty Senator for Lyne John Williams.

Senator Williams has been at the forefront of opposition to beef imports from countries that have had incidences of mad cow disease, and gave notice in the Senate on the 24^th of February of the Coalition’s intention to introduce a Private Members Bill.

On the same day, Mr. Oakeshott announced he was supporting Opposition moves to have a comprehensive risk analysis and gave this commitment to Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb.

The Coalition introduced the Private Members Bill in the Senate yesterday, and now Mr. Oakeshott has indicated he will be introducing a similar bill in the lower house, effectively going back on his word of the 24^th of February.

“I can only surmise the Labor Party has got to Mr. Oakeshott and told him they couldn’t support the Opposition bill, but would support his even though they are virtually identical.

If this is true, it is confirmation of the cosy relationship Labor and Independents have. In his time representing Lyne, the “Independent” has voted with Labor on 82 occasions or 60 percent of the time.

The Australian people know it was The Nationals who have led the fight against the beef imports and have forced the Government to cave in to two demands, not an Independent Member who has gone back on his word when Labor came calling”, Senator Williams said.