Xenophon To Canberra

[bmw boy]

Adelaide Now

No Pokies MP Nick Xenophon quits SA politics, runs for Senate

GREG KELTON, STATE EDITOR
October 11, 2007 11:15am
NO Pokies MP Nick Xenophon has stunned state politics by quitting the Upper House to run for the Senate at the coming federal election.

Mr Xenophon announced his move at a press conference this morning at the Adelaide Zoo.

Known for his media stunts, Mr Xenophon made his announcement in front of the giraffe enclosure because he was "sticking his neck out".

The lawyer, who entered state politics in 1997 on a slogan of ridding the state of poker machines, has become one of the most high-profile MPs in South Australia's history.

His popularity was reflected in the results of the 2006 state election, when Mr Xenophon's Upper House ticket got 20.5 per cent of the formal vote – an unprecedented figure for an independent.

It gave him more than two quotas, which meant drugs campaigner Ann Bressington was elected to the Upper House because she was on his ticket.

Mr Xenophon is likely to be replaced by the person who was next on the No Pokies ticket at the last election – former valuer-general John Darley.

Mr Xenophon said Mr Darley had indicated he was willing to serve in his spot.

Based on his state vote in 2006, Mr Xenophon could have a strong chance of picking up a Senate seat because of the poor showing in the current polls of the Democrats and the Greens.

"I am not saying this is going to be easy," Mr Xenophon said today.

"My two big issues will be the states' reliance on poker machines and the water crisis.

"I want to be able to get the same sort of reputation as former Tasmanian senator Brian Harradine, who was able to squeeze the best possible deal for his state out of the Federal Government.

"That's the approach I would like to take because I think the Senate will be finely balanced."

Mr Xenophon has had serious health problems in recent years, although these have largely been overcome.

He underwent life-saving heart surgery in 2002 and last year was hooked up to a 24-hour heart monitor after being admitted to hospital three times in three months for an irregular heartbeat.

However, at the time he insisted his condition was manageable and would not force him out of politics.

This year he suffered a collapsed disc in his back.

One of Mr Xenophon's trademarks as a politician has been his ability to attract media attention through clever stunts.

Late last year he launched his own "2007 Stunt Calendar", which featured memorable PR exercises such as the Cash Cow, the Gravy Train and Nobody's Puppet.

[bmw boy]

good luck nick!

[rev]

Leventi!

[Will]

I suspect the people who voted for him last year at the state election may feel slightly cheated and let down.

[crawf]

good luck nick

[Bulldozer]

I suspect the people who voted for him last year at the state election may feel slightly cheated and let down.

Indeed. I think it's pretty poor form for him to resign so soon after election. This is also probably going to make it easier for Rann to get rid of the upper house. Probably his plot as well seeing as Atkinson is supposedly the one that convinced Xenophon to make this move... get rid of the most popular pollie in SA who also happens to be probably the only one that stands up to be counted.

[jimmy_2486]

Leventi!

HA you greek mate?

[keepadelaidealive]

Was very surprised to hear this. I was at a speech he gave the other night and he seemed so committed to his role in State Government.

[rev]

Leventi!

HA you greek mate?

Yes.

[Shuz]

He's a sellout. He's absolutely pulled the hearts out of his supporters who voted for him to be their representative in politics in SA, and he just leaves it after a meagre year on the job. I hope he crashes and burns against the Feds.

[SRW]

All the same, having him in the Senate could be quite beneficial for SA.