Senator Bill Heffernan hides behind a lamp-post

Photo © 2009 AAP Image/Alan Porritt

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott, the Member for Lyne, claimed he is a victim of a ‘smear campaign’ after receiving a prank phone call.

The call was answered by Mr Oakeshott’s pregnant wife Sarah. The caller asked, "Is daddy there?” to which she replied "Who is speaking?" The called said "Tell him it's the Devil. Ha, ha, ha".

NSW Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan, described by The Age as “a touch eccentric”, has been identified as the mystery prankster. Apparently, the “Devil” reference is a standard joke Senator Heffernan makes when he rings people. He is also known for introducing himself as ''Australia's most disgraced Senator''.

Mr Oakeshott later received a text message from Mr Heffernan apologizing for the call, and claiming to have mistaken Mr Oakeshott’s wife for one of his children.

The inappropriate call to Mr Oakeshott followed complaints from fellow Independent Tony Windsor, the Member for New England. He received “a threatening phone call” from Liberal MP Alby Schultz, the ABC reported.

Mr Oakeshott has called on Tony Abbott to explain the behaviour of the Coalition MPs he says are making "Rambo-style" calls. "If we are operating in good faith, leaders need to either pull in the rogues or explain their strategy as to why they want to destabilise this thing," he told Radio National.

As we enter the second week since the election, there is still no clear leader of the country in sight. The key Independents are back in Canberra for more talks and negotiations.