Lyne residents torn on Oakeshott exit ROB Oakeshott may be remembered for making a significant contribution to his traditionally conservative electorate, but he'll be best known for helping Labor into government. The federal independent MP for the NSW seat of Lyne has announced he'll walk away from politics at the September 14 election to spend more time with his family. He gave Julia Gillard the final vote to form minority government in 2010. That decision and continued support for the government was almost certain to cost him his seat at the September election. Some voters, such as Lisa McPherson, from Port Macquarie's Chamber of Commerce, say Mr Oakeshott will be missed. She says he had made "significant contributions" to the region as the state MP for Port Macquarie in the 1990s, and then as federal member for Lyne since 2008. Mr Oakeshott had boosted hospital services in the region as well as higher education and roads, and had also helped "build the area as a tourism destination," she says. "The development of infrastructure in our region is certainly in line with what we see as our growing industries," she said. However, the mood at Taree RSL was less enthusiastic. An employee at the club, Wayne, said it was a good thing Mr Oakeshott was leaving politics "before he got kicked out." "Once he went to the Labor side he was on the nose," Wayne said. He'll be remembered as turning his back on the National party. At Old Bar on the eastern edge of Lyne, cafe owner Tony was philosophical about Mr Oakeshott's impending retirement. "I didn't mind Rob Oakeshott, I thought he was ok for the area," the Bon Appetite proprietor said. It didn't really matter what side he went with, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn't.