Speculation that Mr Oakeshott would make a bid for Cowper - which covers the NSW north coast including Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour - has been rife since incumbent Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker announced in August he was retiring.

"Independent members of parliament can achieve great results for their electorates - I have delivered for our region before and I will do it again," Mr Oakeshott said in a statement to AAP on Tuesday.

Mr Oakeshott says an experienced local voice is needed to ensure the concerns of the electorate are heard and residents receive the attention and resources they deserve.

The one-time state MP for Port Macquarie believes locals are frustrated at coming second to "dysfunctional party politics", and being overlooked while billions of dollars are spent on road and rail blowouts in Sydney.

If he was to win, he would look to reverse under-investment in local infrastructure, help small businesses and boost education and aged care funding in the region.

Mr Oakeshott in 2016 secured 26 per cent of the primary vote as an independent and 45 per cent on a two-candidate preferred basis despite only announcing his run three weeks before polling day.

This time he will be up against Nationals candidate Patrick Conaghan - a Port Macquarie lawyer - as well as Labor's Andrew Woodward and Greens candidate Sally Townley.

Source | SBS

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