Two key independent MPs whose support helped Labor form government in the hung parliament after the 2010 election have announced their resignations from politics.
Member for New England Tony Windsor and the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, will not contest the next election.
Both seats are likely to be picked up by the Nationals candidate in the September 14 poll.
Flanked by his wife and daughter, a teary Mr Windsor says he has a health issue that is currently being looked at.
“I know there’ll be people say that you’ll be quitting. The problem is the opinion polls show that I’d probably win,” he said.
“But I don’t really want to be here in three years’ time. There’s other things that I want to do.”
Mr Windsor, 62, has held his NSW-based seat for 12 years and before that held the state seat of Tamworth for 10 years.
He was to have faced up against senior Nationals figure Barnaby Joyce who has resigned his Senate seat to contest New England.
Mr Windsor’s resignation will virtually guarantee the Nationals a win.
“This has been an extraordinary parliament, I’ve really enjoyed it,” Mr Windsor said.
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Mr Oakeshott said the past three years had been the toughest of his life.
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Mr Windsor says he has “absolutely no regrets” in giving his support to Ms Gillard to form government.
“Out of the two contenders she was by far the best,” he said. “And I think if everyone puts on their objective jacket, they will say that, she was by far the best.”
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Mr Oakeshott says he is proud of the progress made in education in his local area and says he is disappointed that more states have not yet signed up to the Gonski plan.
“I think it’s been a disgraceful debate that we’re even having,” he said.
Setting the carbon price was nominated by Mr Windsor as a highlight of his political career. He criticised Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for campaigning against it.
“I think it’s just a tragedy that we found that as an issue to create fear out in the community,” Mr Windsor said.
“It’s an issue that we have to address.”
