in the 2010 federal election, tony crook won the australian house of representatives seat of o'connor for the national party of western australia from long-term liberal incumbent wilson tuckey. crook campaigned on a policy of opposition to the mineral resource rent tax and support for a royalties for regions policy at a national level. he also declared his independence from the federal nationals; indeed, the party declared during the campaign it would not take direction from federal nationals leader warren truss. although some media outlets initially claimed crook was part of the coalition, crook declared he would sit as a crossbencher in the parliament. the election resulted in a hung parliament. crook ultimately announced he would support the liberal-national coalition on confidence and supply, but would otherwise remain on the crossbench. crook would announce his retirement after a single term, with the liberal party winning back o'connor at the 2013 federal election.