Nick Xenophon | |
|---|---|
 Xenophon in 2009 | |
| Senator for South Australia | |
| In office 1 July 2008 – 31 October 2017 | |
| Succeeded by | Rex Patrick |
| Member of the South Australian Legislative Council | |
| In office 11 October 1997 – 15 October 2007 | |
| Leader of Independent No Pokies Campaign Group | |
| In office 13 September 1997 – 1 July 2013 as No Pokies | |
| Deputy | Ann Bressington |
| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | John Darley |
| In office as 1 July 2013 – 5 March 2017 as Nick Xenophon Team | |
| Deputy | Stirling Griff |
| Preceded by | Party merged |
| Succeeded by | Party dissolved |
| In office 4 July 2017 – 17 March 2018 as SA-BEST | |
| Deputy | Kris Hanna |
| Preceded by | Party rebranded |
| Succeeded by | Frank Pangallo |
| 1st Leader of Centre Alliance Party | |
| Assumed office 24 March 2022 | |
| Deputy | Kris Hanna |
| Preceded by | Connie Bonaros |
| In office 10 April 2018 – 7 May 2018 | |
| Deputy | Skye Kakoschke-Moore |
| Preceded by | Rebekha Sharkie |
| Succeeded by | Party established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nicholas Xenophou 29 January 1959 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia[1] |
| Citizenship | Australian British Overseas (renounced)[2] Greek (renounced) |
| Political party | Independent (1997–2013, 2018–) |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (1976–1981) No Pokies (1997–2013) Nick Xenophon Team (2013–2018) SA-Best (2017–2018) |
| Spouse |
Sandra Kazubiernis
(m. 1990; div. 2007) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Christian Brothers College |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide (LLB) |
| Occupation | Law firm principal (Xenophon & Co. Lawyers) |
| Profession | Solicitor Politician |
Nick Xenophon (né Nicholas Xenophou; born 29 January 1959) is an Australian politician and lawyer who was a Senator for South Australia from 2008 to 2017. He was the leader of two political parties: Nick Xenophon Team federally, and Nick Xenophon's SA-BEST in South Australia.
In October 2017, Xenophon resigned from the Australian Senate to contest a seat in the House of Assembly at the 2018 South Australian state election. From 1997 to 2007, he was a member of the South Australian Legislative Council, serving as an independent on a No Pokies policy platform. When the Nick Xenophon Team changed its name to Centre Alliance, Xenophon himself ceased to be directly involved with the party.[3]
Xenophon initially focused on his central anti-gambling policy, but also embraced other issues in federal parliament such as civil liberties, defence, education, foreign policy, health, infrastructure, manufacturing, national security, and regional affairs.
Xenophon failed in his central mission to have poker machines curbed or eliminated in a lasting way, but was instrumental in the Rudd government's repeal of WorkChoices legislation and the passage of the economic stimulus package, as well as the Abbott government's repeal of the Clean Energy Act 2011. Additionally, Xenophon was pivotal in the obstruction of the Abbott government's 2014 austerity budget, the plan to build next generation submarines overseas, and the Pyne higher education reforms.
- ^ "Former Senator Nick Xenophon". Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ Re Canavan [2017] HCA 45 (27 October 2017).
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Centre Alliance. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.