Election campaign diaries of South Australian Senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick Xenophon
SOUTH Australian senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick Xenophon spent the election campaign working to estabish a new order in federal politics. Their diaries from the week prior to the July 2 election reveal just how they went about it.
SOUTH Australian senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick Xenophon spent the election campaign working to estabish a new order in federal politics. Their diaries from the week prior to the July 2 election reveal just how they went about it.
SA GREENS SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
What a whirlwind; seven weeks of campaigning down and only seven days to go. I started the day at 6:00am and scanned the papers, radio and TV news to see what’s happening out there in the world.
I went to our campaign headquarters and sat in on a volunteer training session, preparing for the massive logistical effort that is now right around the corner.
After the training, I went to speak at a refugee rally in Adelaide. I told the crowd that there is a better way to welcome people seeking asylum, in which we assess their claims for protection where they’re waiting (in Indonesia and Malaysia) so that they’re not forced onto a leaky boat.
I then made a quick stop by a community picnic before heading to the airport, ahead of our national campaign launch in Melbourne tomorrow.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
What a launch! Hundreds of people, inspiring speeches and hordes of volunteers who are ready to paint the country Green. We’re rolling out our biggest field campaign ever this election and the feeling is electric. Now it’s back to Adelaide for the final run towards polling day!
MONDAY, JUNE 27
I was up early this morning for interviews and then it was out to a pre-poll booth to hand out how-to-vote cards with some of our wonderful volunteers.
A young woman and her son asked for a photo and then we got talking. She was an electrical engineer who had hoped to work on a large scale wind or solar farm in regional SA, but said that investment in renewables had dried up ever since the Liberals came to power. “But I’m OK. At least I have a job,” she said, referring to the fact that unemployment has soared in our state under the Abbott/Turnbull government.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28
This morning I went to the Central Markets with our candidate for Adelaide, Dr Sophie Guy, and spoke to shoppers about what’s important to them. Beyond a decent coffee (thank you, Lucia’s Cafe!) most people wanted to know about the economy and the increasing gap between the rich and everybody else.
I said that balancing the Budget is a question of priorities. You’d be amazed how much money we could have for health and education if we stopped handing fistfuls of cash to the mining companies and the big four banks, made Superannuation fairer and didn’t go ahead with Turnbull’s tax cuts for the rich.
I then did an interview with the ABC before meeting with multicultural community leaders throughout the evening.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
I have my weekly grilling on Breakfast radio with Matt and Dave on Wednesday mornings. After some robust discussion with my fellow Senate candidates, we parted ways and wished each other the best of luck. I then got a quick breakfast in the car while making my way to the SKY News studio for my next interview.
After some time at a polling booth in the afternoon, I caught up with volunteers who were working on a phone bank until late into the night. Their enthusiasm is inspiring and I am so thankful, because they are the engine that’s driving this campaign.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Today I spoke to the media with my Senate colleague Robert Simms about the imminent threat of BP drilling for oil in The Great Australian Bight. The Greens believe that SA’s future is in renewable energy, not drilling for oil and nuclear waste dumps.
My team and I then had a late night of preparation, with polls opening in just 36 hours!
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Campaign Headquarters was abuzz with action today. Volunteers were streaming in to collect their polling booth kits and receive final instructions ahead of the big day.
I spent the morning at a pre-polling station with Robert Simms and the Greens’ candidates for Adelaide and Sturt. While there we ran into Bob Day, Christopher Pyne, Matthew Loader and Anne McEwen. With that many pollies in one place, it was a regular campaign showdown; hands were shaken, dogs were patted and many babies were kissed!
SATURDAY, JULY 2
It’s early on election morning and I’m about to head out to spend the day visiting polling booths, thanking volunteers and then watching the count.
At the start of this epic eight week campaign, July 2 seemed to be impossibly far away — now it’s arrived and it feels like no time has passed at all.
NICK XENOPHONE TEAM LEADER AND SA SENATOR NICK XENOPHON
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
Only six more sleeps (or is it sleepless nights) to go. Fishy business today — literally. Media conference at Feathers Fish and Chips shop to highlight the need for country of origin seafood labelling at point of purchase of cooked seafood. With Sturt candidate, Matthew Wright, Port Adelaide’s Michael Slattery and Tim Storer from senate team. Battered and cooked local fish — I better not quit my day job!
Feathers Fish shop has voluntarily labelled its fish for years — needs to be rolled out everywhere. Priority legislation if I get back in.
MONDAY, JUNE 27
The hills are alive … with the sound of book sellers and publishers and authors around the country. Media conference at Matilda Bookshop in Stirling with Rebekha Sharkie, Matt Wright, Daniel Kirk, on parallel import rules for books. If Government gets away with proposed changes it will put 20,000 jobs at risk because imported books will flood market without level playing field. Highlight was meeting the legendary Louis Adler from Melbourne University Press who had flown in for the event.
I’m told 70,000 Facebook hits in an hour from around the country, and it trended on Twitter (I don’t know what that means but it’s meant to be good). Another priority for new senate if I’m around.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28
The majors are getting cagey as the campaign continues with Bill Shorten claiming at the National Press Club that I’m ‘free range’ (I didn’t know he was that clucky), after Tanya Plibersek’s earlier attack on my candidates labelling them ‘crackpots’ (I gave the broadcaster she said it to a cracked terracotta pot the day after).
The Libs are telling anyone they can that a vote for an independent is a vote for chaos, but it’s Labor’s penalty rates ad campaign that is killing me. It’s a big fat lie and I’m spending a fortune I don’t have to run counter ads before tomorrow night’s blackout. I’m not sure if I can undo the damage though, because people are stopping me in the street saying they can’t vote for me until I explain it’s a lie.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
Back to Whyalla with NXT candidate for Grey Andrea Broadfoot and an ABC 7.30 crew who were doing a story on the electorate. Andrea running a fantastic campaign. She could do this and pull off a massive upset. Steelworks future the number one issue. Met Arrium’s Administrator Mark Mentha, State Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Acting Mayor Tom Antonio. Feedback at local shopping centre shows there is a big move for change.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Our “11 point plan” which turned into 14 in the extended version, ran in the Tiser today in a big spread which attracted a lot of attention. Today Tonight ran a segment they had filmed in Grey a week or so earlier and I also went on SBS’s The Feed with Derryn Hinch tonight. We are all pretty much stuffed in the Campaign Office.
FRIDAY, JULY 1
One more sleep! The whole team has done a great job. We got together for a final pitch on jobs at SupaShock — world’s best shock absorbers. Oscar and his business could potentially employ hundreds in the next few years with just a bit of government help. It’s the future with businesses like it that can absorb the thousands of jobs that will go when GM Holden shuts it’s car making next year. On an Australian built Bon trike with SupaShock absorbers fitted. Went for a spin. Need thermals for tomorrow!
SATURDAY JULY 2
Judgement Day! On trike with Wayne, rugged up like the Michelin man. Going from booth to booth — people seemed pretty much over it. The long campaign has exhausted everyone. So proud of all candidates and volunteers.
Get to campaign event at Palace Cinemas a bit after 6. It’s a blur of talking to volunteers and journos and the team.
Looks like we’ve got Mayo — bravo Rebekha! Barker and Grey looking good too with big swings. Sturt seems out of reach — damn! Stirling will finally join me in the senate and Skye should make it too.
It’s 2am and I’ve got to be up in 4 hours for post-election interviews. Goodnight and thank you SA.