Senator Nick Xenophon to be replaced by longtime adviser Rex Patrick in Senate

ONE of Federal Parliament’s most recognisable faces — Senator Nick Xenophon — will be replaced by a faceless man.

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ONE of Federal Parliament’s most recognisable faces, Nick Xenophon, is set to be replaced by a faceless man — Rex Patrick.

Senator Xenophon has quit Canberra to return to State Parliament in South Australia and his team has decided his longtime adviser Mr Patrick will take his place. The Nick Xenophon Team name will also disappear as the party becomes SA Best (Federal), to echo the state party’s name.

In Canberra, some insiders are hopeful the loss of “Xenophon the man” as well as “Xenophon” in the party name will also mean lost votes.

Senator Xenophon said the name change was about the transition to the new set-up. He is expected to have resigned by the end of the week.

Rex Patrick is a former Navy submariner who became a defence adviser to federal ministers before advising Nick Xenophon. He will now replace Mr Xenophon in the Senate.

“I can’t wait to campaign. Here is an opportunity that I don’t think South Australians have ever had before ... a real choice apart from the two major parties,” he said.

The party can choose a replacement after the High Court cleared him of dual citizenship last week.

Pending approval by the SA Parliament, Mr Patrick is expected to be able to take his seat in the next sitting week.

New Zealand-born Mr Patrick has definitely renounced his dual citizenship, Senator Xenophon emphasised.

Mr Patrick went to school in Whyalla before joining the Navy, eventually being part of the Collins class submarine trials. He spent some time advising former Defence Minister David Johnston.

Nick Xenophon on his final day in his Senate parliamentary office. Picture: Gary Ramage

He then advised Senator Xenophon on defence matters, during which time he hit the headlines after French company DCNS — now Naval Group — had a USB stick stolen by an employee.

As well as defence, Mr Patrick has been working on the Murray, energy issues, and transparency in government. He will join Skye Kakoschke-Moore and Stirling Griff in the Senate. The party also has Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie in the House of Representatives.

“It’s a great honour to be asked to represent SA in the Senate on behalf of NXT/SA Best — to be able to work with Nick and his colleagues Rebekha, Skye and Stirling for SA’s best interests,” he said.

Senator Xenophon will run in the seat of Hartley.

The Liberal Party kicked off its campaign against him there this week with a leaflet drop claiming a vote for him would return Labor — a claim Senator Xenophon said was “hysterical scaremongering”.

SA Liberal Party State Director Sacha Meldrum said voting Liberal was the only way to ensure a change of Government after 16 years of Labor.

Who’s who in the party

NICK Xenophon spent a decade in the Federal Parliament, and looks set to return to the state.

REX Patrick is one of Senator Xenophon’s advisers and the party’s pick to take his place. He is a Navy man with a longstanding interest in defence issues.

SKYE Kakoschke-Moore also used to work with Senator Xenophon before running and winning a seat in 2016. Her portfolios include women, mental health, and veterans’ affairs.

STIRLING Griff was the head of the Retail Traders’ Association before entering politics. His portfolios include health, immi-gration and communication.

REBEKHA Sharkie won the seat of Mayo at the 2016 election, ousting Liberal Jamie Briggs. She is the party’s education, social services and youth spokeswoman.