Upper House MP John Darley won’t rule out running for State Parliament again in 2022 — aged 85

AFTER quitting Nick Xenophon’s party this week, state Upper House MP John Darley won’t rule out running for Parliament again in 2022 — when he will be 85 years old.

• John Darley resigns from Nick Xenophon Team
• Questions over Senator Xenophon’s citizenship

UPPER House MP John Darley won’t rule out running for Parliament again in 2022 — when he will be 85 years old.

Mr Darley sensationally quit the Nick Xenophon Team this week following months of tension between him and party leader, Senator Nick Xenophon.

Mr Darley had branded his former leader a “dictator” and yesterday said Senator Xenophon had “gone feral” at the suggestion earlier this year that his preference for the next NXT member to enter Parliament may not eventuate.

Connie Bonaros and John Darley ran for the Upper House on the Nick Xenophon Group ticket in 2014. Picture Tom Huntley

The public stoush prompted Premier Jay Weatherill to invoke the spectre of politics’ “faceless men” — used to damaging effect against his own party in the past — to question who was actually pulling the strings in the NXT party.

“Nick Xenophon once again has misplaced his only MP in the South Australian Parliament,” Mr Weatherill said, referring to a prior spat with former MP Ann Bressington, who harshly criticised Senator Xenophon when she broke off their voting partnership.

“This is a classic faceless men scenario. Who is governing South Australian members of Parliament when they make decisions here?

“I think there are real questions to be asked about how that political party (NXT) goes about its business.”

John Darley MLC with his former political ally Senator Nick Xenophon.

Mr Darley rejected Mr Weatherill’s comments, saying he had “virtually free rein” in the Parliament until a recent disagreement over electoral reforms in SA.

Mr Darley voted against the party’s policy on that issue and was to be expelled for the move — but he quit instead.

Senator Xenophon has said he wants Mr Darley to resign from Parliament so he can be replaced by former NXT running mate Connie Bonaros.

However, Mr Darley wants his parliamentary adviser Jenny Low to enter Parliament instead.

Mr Darley said the disagreement had sent Senator Xenophon “feral”.

He flagged late yesterday that he may decide to run for Parliament again when he next faces re-election in 2022. He will then be 85.

“If there are things to be done and no one else is doing them, then I would give it a crack again,” the 80-year-old said.