Nick Xenophon
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.
Nick Xenophon | |
|---|---|
Xenophon in 2009 | |
| Leader of the Nick Xenophon Team | |
| In office 1 July 2013 – 10 April 2018 | |
| Deputy | Stirling Griff |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Leader of Nick Xenophon's SA-BEST | |
| In office 5 March 2017 – 10 April 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| 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 | |
| Succeeded by | John Darley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nicholas Xenophou 29 January 1959 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Citizenship | Australian British Overseas (renounced) 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 | Prince Alfred College |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide (LLB) |
| Occupation | Law firm principal (Xenophon & Co. Lawyers) |
| Profession | Solicitor Politician |
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.
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.