Senator Nick Xenophon thought Labor attack ads were ‘killing me’, election campaign diary reveals
A FRUSTRATED Nick Xenophon wrote in his diary four days before the Federal Election that Labor’s attack ads were “killing me’’.
- Read the diaries of Mr Xenophon and Ms Hansen-Young here
- Campaign diaries from Pyne, Wong reveal fear of Xenophon
A FRUSTRATED Nick Xenophon wrote in his diary four days before the Federal Election that Labor’s attack ads were “killing me’’.
The Advertiserexclusively publishes diaries written by Senator Xenophon and South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young in the week leading up to the July 2 federal poll.
In diaries published on Monday, Industry Minister Christopher Pyne and Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong discussed their concerns about the rise of the independent senator’s Nick Xenophon Team.
Amid speculation that the NXT could win several lower house seats, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warned Australians that “chaos” could ensue if they voted for minor parties or independent candidates and Labor launched advertisements attacking Senator Xenophon over penalty rates.
In his diary, Senator Xenophon said the Labor ads were doing the most damage.
“..it’s Labor’s penalty rates ad campaign that is killing me,’’ he wrote.
“It’s a big fat lie and I’m spending a fortune I don’t have to run counter ads before tomorrow night’s (TV advertising) blackout.”
Greens Senator Hanson-Young’s final week of campaigning included an address to a rally against offshore detention and raising concerns about the importance of protecting the Great Australian Bight from exploratory oil drilling.
At the election, the NXT party captured the seat of Mayo from former Liberal minister Jamie Briggs and won three SA Senate seats.
Senator Hanson-Young was re-elected but her colleague Senator Robert Simms lost his seat.