Independent candidate Mark Aldridge says opponent may not be real, finds out he’s suffering bowel cancer

SERIAL independent Mark Aldridge said a Nick Xenophon Team candidate may not have been real because of their absence from the campaign trail — and was left red-faced after the reason was revealed.

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SERIAL independent Mark Aldridge has been left red-faced after it emerged a Nick Xenophon Team candidate he said may not even be real because of their absence from the campaign trail had been laying low while undergoing chemotherapy to battle bowel cancer.

Mr Aldridge, who is running against NXT’s Craig Bossie in the northeastern suburbs seat of Makin, sent an email saying Mr Bossie might not even be a “real” candidate.

Unfortunately for Mr Aldridge, Mr Bossie’s been quiet on the campaign trail after being diagnosed with bowel cancer and was forced to have a major operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Mr Bossie said he is “very much alive and breathing” after the surprise diagnosis.

“It’s responded really well ... the outcome is extremely positive,” Ms Bossie said, adding he has been back up and busy for weeks with community meetings and working with volunteers.

When Mr Bossie was diagnosed, he withdrew from campaigning briefly, then withdrew that withdrawal when it was clear that he would make a full recovery.

Mr Aldridge said supporters were asking him how to vote in Makin.

Very likely real ... Craig Bossie

Also real ... Mark Aldridge

“How can I answer them, if it is possible a candidate is not even a real one,” he said.

Mr Aldridge then later had to apologise for his “incorrect” email.

Meanwhile, Senator Nick Xenophon has defended his election candidates against criticism they are “crackpots”, arguing they’re better than “party hacks” put up by the major parties.

The popular South Australian Senator has come under fire from both sides of politics for his choice of candidates to contest the July 2 federal election.

Labor Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek has described the Nick Xenophon Team members as “kooky” and “completely unknown quantities who might hold a balance of power position”.

“Some of the views that we have heard from them are pretty crackpot,” Ms Plibersek said, specifically referring to Kingston candidate Damian Carey’s view that acupuncture can cure infertility.

Ms Plibersek also argued NXT could go the way of the now fragmented Palmer United Party, whose former members Jacqui Lambie and Glen Lazarus defected to become independents.

“It is very clear that Nick Xenophon will be returned to the Senate himself,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The question then becomes how he manages the people he takes with him.

“These are serious positions where people will be making serious decisions about matters of national consequence.”

Senator Xenophon described his team as “a really good group of people”.

“They’re not party hacks,” he said. “They’re not the usual suspects we get from the major parties.

“They are good people who have worked in the charity sector, as medicos ... therapists, people from small business backgrounds, people who have worked in the public service, people from all walks of life.

“There’s a really wide range of people.”

Senator Xenophon undertook a year-long candidate selection process, whittling down a group of more than 450 applicants nationwide in a bid to prevent internal rifts like that of the Palmer United Party.

Senator Xenophon also infamously split from one-time state Parliament running mate Ann Bressington, who in 2007 branded him a typical politician and “chameleon”.

His 2016 election team includes an emergency physician, former SANFL footballer, local councillor, farmer, mechanical engineer and former Australian Security Intelligence Organisation officer.

Former Liberal staffer Rebekah Sharkie takes on her old boss, Liberal MP Jamie Briggs, in Mayo. Former Democrat Craig Bossie is running in Labor-held Makin, against Tony Zappia.

All political parties are repaid $2.62 for each vote they garner at the federal election if they secure more than 4 per cent of the vote.

The Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) was paid $642,839 at the 2013 election but is expected to earn far more this year because it is running more candidates nationally.