Former SA Best leader Nick Xenophon considered likely to return to South Australian politics

POLITICAL shooting star Nick Xenophon, who has briefly emerged from exile, is considered likely to make a comeback to state politics — eventually.

Where’s Nick? Former SA Best leader Nick Xenophon in December, 2017, at the height of his popularity. Picture: Kelly Barnes/The Australian

POLITICAL shooting star Nick Xenophon, who has briefly emerged from exile, is considered likely to make a comeback to state politics – eventually.

The former SA Best leader, whose 20-year career in state and federal politics ended at March’s state election, left the door open for a return when asked this week if he had retired from public life.

His endorsement of ally Rebekha Sharkie for the July 28 Mayo by-election triggered speculation about a ­potential return to politics, despite Ms Sharkie’s previous suggestion he had retired.

Sources close to Mr Xenophon have told the Sunday Mail he was likely to become involved in state politics again, rather than the federal sphere, to remain close to his elderly parents.

He is focusing on his Paradise legal firm but once that has been sorted out, associates said, he would become more active politically. This would more likely be as SA Best’s par­ty president rather than seeking to return to parliament.

Asked by the Sunday Mail to clarify if he would contemplate a return to politics, Mr Xenophon said only: “I’m ­focused on building up my law practice and doing the very best for my clients.”

Mr Xenophon was rated as preferred premier in a Newspoll just a fortnight before the March 17 election and, in a December poll, was preferred by 46 per cent of respondents to lead the state.

But SA Best’s once-stratospheric support collapsed and the fledgling party failed to win a lower house seat, including the eastern Adelaide electorate of Hartley that Mr Xenophon contested.

Days after the election, The Advertiser revealed Mr Xenophon would banish himself to political exile for at least the next few months, while SA Best’s federal arm has changed its name from the Nick Xenophon Team to Centre Alliance.

SA Best upper house member Frank Pangallo last month told the Sunday Mail Mr Xenophon was still actively involved with decision making and would, at some stage, make a comeback.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s accusation that Ms Sharkie “has chosen to vote mostly with Labor” has been amplified by a Facebook page, “Sharkie votes with Shorten”.

Ms Sharkie has produced her parliamentary voting record, which she says shows she has voted more often with the Government than Labor.