Federal election 2016: Xenophon could control the new Senate

SOUTH Australian senator Nick Xenophon is emerging as the man who could control the new Senate.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon / AAP

SOUTH Australian senator Nick Xenophon is emerging as the man who could control the new Senate.

Australia will have two elections to decide on July 2, with voters to determine whether members of the crazy crossbench are returned to office.

Despite sweeping Senate voting reforms that removed the role of “preference whisperers” helping micro parties win office, a significant crossbench is expected to remain.

That means the elected government will face challenges getting policy passed through the upper house — albeit with fewer crossbenchers to deal with.

Mr Xenophon’s newly launched party is expected to win up to three Senate seats.

Loudmouth Tasmanian Jacqui Lambie is widely tipped to be returned. And her Jacqui Lambie Network is expected to potentially pick up another seat.

Mr Xenophon yesterday told The Daily Telegraph he could not see the crossbench being wiped out.

“I think the recent focus on Senate voting reforms means it is highly unlikely the government will come within cooee of holding a majority in a Senate,’’ he said. “That’s a good thing in terms of checks and balances.”

Under the new voting reforms, voters are required to number at least six boxes above the line for the parties or number at least 12 boxes below the line for individual candidates. Mr Xenophon is one of the highest-profile politicians in South Australia but is hopeful he could pick up Senate spots interstate.

“The polls are showing me around 20 per cent in the Senate,” he said.

“I think there is a real chance we will get seats in other states.”

A double dissolution lowers the quota required from 14.3 per cent to 7.7 per cent, which will give popular crossbenchers a better opportunity to be elected.

It is expected that former rugby league star Glenn Lazarus, who is popular in Queensland, could also hold his spot in the Senate.