Federal election 22: Nick Xenophon making political comeback to stand for the Senate

Former SA political sensation Nick Xenophon will make a hotly anticipated comeback to public life at the federal election. Take our poll – do you support his return?

Former political sensation Nick Xenophon will make a hotly anticipated comeback from self-imposed public exile to stand for the Senate at a federal election expected in May.

Mr Xenophon, who spectacularly led as preferred premier in opinion polls until a fortnight before the 2018 state election, will stand as an independent at the federal election and shed his former Centre Alliance party.

In a bid to capitalise on disaffection with the major parties and surging support for independents, Mr Xenophon’s slogan will be “I’m back – because I give a damn”.

“For the last four years I’ve tried to be a political hermit – minding my own business and leaving it up to others to be involved in the political decisions that ultimately affect our lives, and those of our loved ones,” he said in a statement to The Advertiser.

“I can no longer sit on the sidelines. Incredibly, it’s gotten worse in Canberra. It’s nastier, full of hatred and bile that eats away at our nation’s core.

“ … I must come back to call them out and to speak out on the issues that need to be tackled. Why? Because I give a damn about our state’s future and our kids’ future.”

The-then SA Best leader Nick Xenophon (left) at the 2018 election’s Advertiser-Sky News people’s forum with the-then premier Jay Weatherill (centre) and the-then SA Liberal leader Steven Marshall (right). Picture: AAP / Tracey Nearmy

This is a great day for footage of a man driving a tiny car. Welcome back @Nick_Xenophon. I've been expecting you. https://t.co/cJSit4ffSZ

— Mark Humphries (@markhumphries) March 24, 2022

The former senator and state upper house member withdrew from public life after failing to get himself or any of his SA Best candidates elected to the lower house at the 2018 state election.

This was despite soaring support after he up-ended the campaign for the March poll by audaciously quitting the Senate in October, 2017, to contest the northeastern Adelaide seat of Hartley.

Since then, he has headed a suburban law practice, focusing on injury claims and commercial litigation, notably leading a trademark case for Australian manufacturers to regain the rights to sell ugg boots overseas.

Nick Xenophon in October, 2021 at Northside Souvenirs, in Pooraka, pushing his trademark case for ugg boots manufacturers. Picture Roy VanDerVegt

This case prompted Mr Xenophon in mid-2021 to declare he was seriously considering another Senate run, because he was incensed by the federal government’s “couldn’t give a stuff attitude” to an iconic Australian product.

Mr Xenophon, 63, told The Advertiser he had decided to attempt a political comeback because “more than ever, South Australia needs strong, independent representation in the federal Senate to ensure our state never misses out on its fair share of federal services and funding”.

He is likely encouraged by a stronger-than-expected showing by independents at last weekend’s state election, after which candidates have threatened to oust Liberals in previously safe seats on the Fleurieu and Eyre peninsulas.

The-then SA Best Leader Nick Xenophon campaigning outside Newton Shopping Centre in 2018. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Mr Xenophon’s running mate will be long-term associate and Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff, who will remain with the party until the new Senate term starts on July 1. Senator Griff was Mr Xenophon’s running mate at the 2013 and 2016 elections.

Mr Xenophon declared his key issues would include health, education, aged care, manufacturing jobs (particularly defence), tackling predatory gambling and protecting whistle blowers.

He was elected to SA’s upper house in 1997 and resigned in 2007 to successfully contest the Senate. He was re-elected there in 2013 and 2016 before quitting in October, 2017.

Originally published as Federal election 22: Nick Xenophon making political comeback to stand for the Senate