Independent MP's Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor in Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Australian
THE Coalition plans to carpet bomb the electorates of Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott with advertising in an appeal to voters to pressure the MPs to back a no-confidence motion against Julia Gillard.
Senior Opposition figures believe a "grassroots" campaign over the next seven weeks could see enough independent MPs - including Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott - back a no-confidence motion when Parliament resumes in May.
Voters in the NSW seats of New England and Lyne can expect to receive direct mail-outs in coming weeks, explaining the roles played by the two MPs in supporting the Labor Government.
The material is designed to increase pressure on the two MPs to turn on the Government, which they backed into office since striking a deal in September 2010.
The Opposition is also considering running radio advertisements in the two conservative electorates as part of a "targeted" campaign, senior Liberal Party sources told News Limited.
On Thursday, the two MPs supported a motion by Tony Abbott to suspend standing orders to allow a motion of no confidence to be debated.
But Mr Windsor - who returned to his electorate on Friday after a week in Canberra - signalled that he was not about tear up his accord with the Prime Minister.
"I have no reason, with the current prime minister ... to tear up the agreement because she hasn't breached it," he said.
"If anybody had a self-interest in going to the polls quickly, it would be me," he said.
"The National party in my seat are in complete disarray, there is no candidate, no candidate at all."
Deputy Opposition leader Julie Bishop signalled that the Coalition would work overtime to try and convince voters in the two electorates to send a strong message to their elected representatives.
"Our view is that they should withdraw support and will seek to have an election immediately," Ms Bishop said.
"It is high time for the Australian people to have a say."
A no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister will be moved when Parliament returns for the Budget session on May 14.
Senior Liberal frontbencher and Opposition manager of business Chris Pyne said he believed voters wanted a chance to vote for a new government.
"Enough is enough, it's time for the independents to examine their consciences, and to speak to their electorates over the next six weeks about whether they want the faceless men of the Labor Party choosing the prime minister, or whether they want the people, at an election, to decide the kind of makeup of the Parliament they want and the prime minister that they want," Mr Pyne told Sky News.
Opinion polls suggest both MPs will lose their seats to Coalition candidates when the election is held later this year.
However, the Nationals' bid to win back Mr Windsor's northern NSW electorate has been thrown into disarray after its candidate, Richard Torbay, sensationally quit the contest earlier this week. This follows revelations that he will be investigated by anti-corruption body ICAC.
Barnaby Joyce, a Queensland senator and a close friend of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, is now expected to seek pre-selection for the seat.
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