Former Senator Nick Xenophon reveals shock health diagnosis

The colourful and occasionally notorious former Senator Nick Xenophon has revealed he is facing major surgery later this year.

Former Senator Nick Xenophon has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and has transferred his legal practice to a new firm as he prepares for the possibility of major surgery later in the year.

Mr Xenophon said the tumour, which is currently half the size of a walnut, was benign and “not brain cancer’’, but surgery “would be essential” if it grew by another one or two millimetres.

“It should be OK, but there are risks involved,’’ he said. “It’s a ticking time bomb in a really crappy location (near the brain stem).
“I just have to get through it. It has to be done.’’

Mr Xenophon has been diagnosed with a meningioma, a tumour that grows on the primary central nervous system in the brain or spinal cord. Surgery followed by radiation therapy is the usual treatment.

Former independent politician, Nick Xenophon at his law office. Picture: Dean Martin

But the 65-year-old Mr Xenophon said he was remaining upbeat.

“In the scheme of things it is no big deal. It is nothing to what co-Australian of the Year, Professor Richard Scolyer is going through with his brain cancer and his heroic efforts to find a cure.’’

Mr Xenophon became well-known to South Australians after he was elected to the Legislative Council at the 1997 election by campaigning against the damage caused by pokies.

His frequent stunts became a staple of South Australian political life until he moved to the Senate in the Australian parliament serving for nine years until 2017.

Mr Xenophon’s political career came to a halt after the 2018 state election when he tried to move to the House of Assembly but lost to Liberal Vincent Tarzia in the seat of Hartley. However, under his SA Best banner, Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo were elected to state parliament.

Mr Xenophon, who has two children, Aleksis, 31, and Eve, 5, said he had gone to the doctor after waking up last September with a stiff neck and a headache.

The GP thought he could be suffering from meningitis, but a CT scan revealed the meningioma.

After further scans, a conference with a neurosurgeon confirmed the tumour and the possibility that brain surgery would be needed if it grew further.

“As I got off the phone I received a call that my father (Theo) had just died. A bit of a double whammy,’’ he said.

“A subsequent scan before Christmas showed the tumour largely stable but appeared to be growing slowly.’’

Nick Xenophon handing out election pamphlets in Rundle Mall in March 2022. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Xenophon said a neuroradiologist had said there could be a relationship between the tumour and radiation treatment he had received as a teenager to treat his acne.

After 40 years “running my little firm’’ the former Senator is transferring his practice to Adelaide law firm Lindbloms, who will take on his 10 staff and clients from Tuesday. Mr Xenophon will remain involved as a consultant.

“I have gotten to know the principal lawyer there, Martin Faull, quite well, and they share similar values in terms of fighting for battlers,’’ he said.

Mr Xenophon also said by speaking publicly he hoped to encourage others to have any symptoms checked out.

“As far as brain tumours go, I am one of the lucky ones but I hope in some small way I can help raise awareness about the need to get symptoms checked out for early detection and intervention,’’ he said.