Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull could lose another seat to independent Nick Xenophon’s team

EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm Turnbull is tipped to lose yet another seat to­ ­independent Nick Xenophon, ­according to an exclusive poll.

Malcolm Turnbull is tipped to lose yet another seat to independent senator Nick Xenophon. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

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MALCOLM Turnbull is tipped to lose yet another seat to­ ­independent Nick Xenophon, ­according to an exclusive poll.

With at least two Liberal lower house seats under threat already, the Reachtel poll commissioned by the CFMEU reveals that Mr Xenophon’s candidate was in a position to take the South Australian seat of Barker, held by the Liberals.

But Labor also fears the rise of the wacky senator, with several of its seats also under threat as well.

The Daily Telegraph was the first to reveal the Western Sydney seat of Lindsay was also likely to be decided by Xenophon preferences. An ­exclusive Galaxy poll showed the candidate, Stephen Lynch, who is campaigning against aircraft noise, was commanding 7 per cent of the vote.

Rod Bloomfield (Calare)

Stephen Lynch (Lindsay)

Richard Bakoss (Macarthur)

Marie Rowland (Warringah)

The Reachtel poll shows that on a two-party preferred basis, Xenophon candidate James Stacey leads Liberal MP Tony Pasin 52-48.

Senator Xenophon is campaigning on a platform to force governments to buy Australian-made products, a crackdown on predatory gambling and more government transparency. He told The Daily Telegraph the poll should be a “wake-up call” for major parties and reiterated his commitment to “Middle Australia”.

“Unlike the Greens, we are a party of the political centre. This is a wake-up call for the major parties that they can’t behave like a cosy little club. Middle Australia has been ­forgotten,” he said

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, SA)

James Stacey (Barker, SA)

Liberal Barker MP Tony Pasin said the poll pointed to “economic chaos” if the independents won.

“The polls say this election could be very close. This means every vote will count,” Mr Pasin said.

“A vote for a Coalition candidate will ensure we keep a strong and stable majority government. A vote for an independent, however, is a vote for the economic chaos of a Labor-Greens-independent minority government that will hit families and small businesses with increased taxes.”

The poll of 869 Barker residents showed that of people who would not give their first preference to the Liberals or the Xenophon party, a whopping 84.5 per cent would ­preference the Xenophon ­candidate above the Liberals.

WHERE XENOPHON STANDS

● Supports Coalition's tough boats policy

● Opposes the return to a carbon tax

● Wants tougher rules governing pokies to protect problem gamblers

● Wants an increase in foreign aid

● Wants governments to buy Australian-made products

● Wants multinationals to pay more tax