An independent lawmaker whose support enabled Prime Minister Julia Gillard to stay in power after inconclusive elections has refused her offer of a Cabinet job.
Lawmaker Rob Oakeshott says in a statement he told Gillard on Friday he did not want to be part of her Cabinet, which will be named as early as Saturday.
Gillard offered the job in a deal to clinch the support of Oakeshott and a fellow independent, which was crucial to her Labor Party staying in government after elections failed to give any party a majority.
Oakeshott did not give reasons for his decision.
