Nick Xenophon

Nick Xenophon (born 1959 in Adelaide) is a South Australian barrister and anti-gambling campaigner, prior member of the South Australian Legislative Council from 1997 to 2007, and candidate for the Australian Senate in the 2007 federal election.

Pre-political life

Xenophon attained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Adelaide in 1981, and in 1984 established and became principal of his own law firm, Xenophon & Co., that deals solely with personal injury claims. In this field he became successful, and between 1994 and 1997 he served as president of the South Australian branch of the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers' Association.

Political career

After legislation was passed in 1992 by the Bannon Labor government that saw the introduction of slot machines or 'pokies' into South Australia in 1994, the increased incidence of problem gambling came to Xenophon's attention in his legal practice. At the 1997 South Australian election, Xenophon stood for the South Australian Legislative Council under a No Pokies ticket, advocating the reduction and abolition of pokies (poker machines). He received 2.9% of the vote^[1] which, combined with preferences from other parties, made him the first Independent ever elected to the modern-day Upper House.

During his time as a sitting member, Xenophon has been an activist for a range of issues aside the elimination of pokies, speaking out on essential services, the environment, taxation and perks for politicians. He is best known for his many media-friendly publicity stunts that have gained him both deep respect and ardent criticism. Xenophon has also suffered severe health difficulties that at one stage forced him to take leave.

2006 state election

Xenophon stood again for 2006 state election amid media speculation that he would struggle to be re-elected with the major parties preferencing against him. Despite this, he ran an aggressive campaign described by some commentators as 'anti-political' and received over 20% of the vote, enough to not only to re-elect himself, but also to elect the second No Pokies candidate, Ann Bressington.

The result was unprecedented in Australian political history; an Independent had never before been so significantly endorsed statewide. His Legislative Council vote of 20.5 percent was 5.5 percent short of the vote recorded by the Liberal Party, with some polling booths Xenophon polling higher than the Liberals.^[1] This series of events led some commentators to call Xenophon the new "third force" in South Australian politics.

Xenophon was left with a $100,000 campaign debt (as there is no funding for state elections, unlike federal elections) which has prompted him to release 2000 copies of a limited edition 'Nick Xenophon 2007 Stunt Calendar' in an attempt to pay for the debt. In the event that the campaign debt is cleared, all excess funds will be used to employ extra staff in his parliamentary office.^[2]

2007 federal election

On 11th of October, 2007, Xenophon called a press conference at the Adelaide Zoo in front of the giraffe enclosure, declaring he would "stick his neck out for South Australia" by announcing his resignation from the South Australian Legislative Council in an attempt to gain election to the Australian Senate at the 2007 federal election. His platform will consist of anti-gambling, pro-consumer protection, attention to the water crisis, opposition against what he calls a decrease in state rights, and opposition to WorkChoices.^[3]

ABC election analyst Antony Green has already stated that Xenophon will win a seat, with Centrebet speculating he will begin on a favourable $1.50 for and $2.70 against. Nick Minchin has "urged people not to vote for Mr Xenophon",^[4] with the Liberal Party's 2006 upper house vote only 5.5 percent higher, and polled lower than Xenophon in some booths.^[5] Although the quota is higher in the federal upper house, Xenophon could lose half of his 20.5 percent vote and still gain election.^[6] His addition could result in holding the balance of power.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Unlike the state upper house where he ran under the ticket of Independent Nick Xenophon - No Pokies, his name will not be appearing above the line as part of the party name. No Pokies is not a registered federal party, meaning he will be represented only by a letter above the line, with voters having to search for his details. This will require more effort with How To Vote cards in order to get elected.^[10] An AEC spokesman stated to be represented above the line by a letter, a non-party group of at least two members must be formed. Mr Xenophon declared rules made by major parties were "stacked against independents".^[11]

Xenophon had initially canvassed the idea of running for the Division of Sturt as an independent with the Labor Party around April. Xenophon however stated that it was never a serious option. Labor sources supported his decision to run for the Senate, hoping he would emerge as a "Brian Harradine".^[12] Xenophon says he only considered the move a few weeks before his announcement, dismissing reports he and Labor knew for six months, stating that his conversation with Christopher Pyne was 'just a joke'.^[13]

References

External links

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