Nick Xenophon quits Federal Senate, leaving a power vacuum in wake of his departure
ANALYSIS: Canberra is reeling after Nick Xenophon’s shock departure, with speculation centring on what it means for the Turnbull government.
NICK Xenophon has dropped a bombshell on Australian politics by resigning from the senate.
After more than 12 months as one of the most powerful men in federal politics, the senator has announced he will quit to run for a seat in the South Australian parliament.
His departure, effective immediate after the High Court rules on his dual citizenship case, will see the rise of a new powerbroker in the senate.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has relied on the Nick Xenophon Team’s crucial three votes in the senate since the 2016 election to pass controversial legislation such as the bank tax, a school funding overhaul and to establish an industrial relations watchdog.
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Senator Xenophon, who has been in federal politics since 2007, has often secured key concessions through drawn out negotiations.
Only One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who controls four other key votes in the senate, has the same level of lobbying power in the upper house.
In the wake of his departure, both the Coalition and Labor will have to turn more to NXT senators Skye Kakoschke-Moore, Stirling Griff, and a new third member.
The High Court has yet to rule on Senator Xenophon’s citizenship case.
Hearings begin next week. But a likely replacement for him is Tim Storer, the fourth candidate on the NXT ticket at the last election.
Senator Xenophon said today he plans to step down from the upper house seat as soon as the High Court hands down its decision.
He will then run for the state seat of Hartley.
The senator rejected suggestions he was abandoning his colleagues in the federal parliament.
“I will still be closely involved in decisions made at a federal level,” he told ABC.
Senator Xenophon said he had been heartened by the strong support from his fellow NXT senators when making the decision.
Senator Kakoschke-Moore said her party leader would be missed in the upper house, but she vowed to keep working hard for her constituents regardless.
CANBERRA REACTS
Senator Kakoschke-Moore said she had never been just a supporting vote for the NXT trio.
“Along with working with the team on many issues, with just a three-year term I’ve always believed I needed to run my own race and secure my own achievements for the people of my home state and Australia,” she said in a social media post today.
“I’ve been working hard on many issues and have had recent success with campaigns including a trial of assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD, a reparation scheme for victims of defence abuse, the establishment of an inquiry into cyber-bullying and the government agreeing to adopt my amendments relating to cybersex trafficking.
“Nick is the longest serving crossbench member and I have worked for him and with him for more than seven years now so he will be missed in the senate.
“But I will keep working hard for the people who elected us as a team and focusing my energy in the areas which are important to me including protection of children, gender equality and helping our most vulnerable.”
Senator Griff said: “Nick is a fighter and will continue to fight for SA’s best interests.”
One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has hailed his crossbench rival’s departure, saying federal politics would be better off without him.
“He’s a very clever and cunning politician but he always put his party ahead of the country,” the Queensland senator told Sky News.
“It will be better for federal politics with him out of the way because he’s too much focused on headlines and being the saviour and getting some news.”
Meanwhile, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, a fellow South Australian, was glowing in praise.
“Nick Xenophon has made a valued contribution to the Senate throughout his federal career,” she said.
“We have worked well together fighting for local jobs and protecting the Murray, and while he and I were not on the same side on all issues, we share a passion for South Australia.
“While he leaves big shoes to fill, I’m determined that the Greens will ensure that South Australia continues to have a strong alternative voice in the Senate and the federal parliament.”