John Anderson calls it a day after losing Senate vote

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson has failed in his bid to return to federal parliament.

John Anderson. Picture: Antony Hands

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson has failed in his bid to return to federal parliament, losing out in a Senate preselection battle to former NSW Nationals director Ross Cadell.

Mr Anderson failed to win the top spot on the NSW Nationals Senate ticket in a “tight” vote, and withdrew from the contest rather than taking the almost unwinnable second position on the ballot.

Mr Anderson, 64, said he ­believed it was the “end of the ­political road for me”.

“I really can’t see circumstances where I would put myself forward again,” he said.

“I felt the need to put myself forward because of the need of the nation and the experience and knowledge I had to offer.”

He said his podcast, a popular series of interviews on current ­issues, kept him across “and perhaps ahead” on some issues.

Former NSW Nationals director Ross Cadell.

Nationals sources said Mr Anderson had been considered the frontrunner in the Senate ticket campaign, although the result was not a complete shock.

“It was a little bit of a surprise but everyone knew it was going to be close,” one source said.

The second spot on the Senate ticket went to former Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive Alison Penfold.

Mr Cadell said he would draw on his “immense experience in delivering for the regions”.

“It is an honour to be pre­selected to represent regional NSW, which has a really fantastic future ahead of it,” he said.

“Regional Australia is the heartbeat of our great nation and we need more people in Canberra spruiking this fact.

“We need to continue to secure the future of our regions moving forward, and I know the Nationals are dogged in this ­belief as they lay the economic foundations for regional, rural and remote areas to thrive well into the future.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Mr Cadell and Ms Penfold were “unwavering in their commitment to deliver for the people who call our regions home”.

“From small business owners to coalminers, local tradesmen and women, or Australia’s primary producers, they are dedicated to securing the future prosperity and jobs of regional Australia,” he said.