Xenophon tilts at Canberra

Harry Nicolaides

As the first Greek Australian to hold the balance of power in the Senate, newly-elected Senator, Nick Xenophon is determined to continue to fight in Canberra for exactly the same issues that have consumed him in his career over the last decade as independent MP for South Australia.

Rejecting claims that he is turning his back on his constituents in South Australia, he said he is taking the fight to Canberra where he believes he will be able to enact more changes.

Famed for taking up causes that other politicians neglect, the 48-year old Mr Xenophon said he will continue his crusade against the scourge of poker machines, the imbalance between state and federal power sharing and lobby to strengthen consumer protection laws.

It is also expected he will help Labor dismantle the unpopular Work Choices laws of the erstwhile Howard government. The Senate will remain controlled by the Coalition until July after which Labor will need the support of the Greens and Nick Xenophon to pass key legislation.

Mr Xenophon will also find himself holding the balance of power over the status of same-sex relationships, especially in relation to how legislation in taxation, health, migration, superannuation and family law impact on these groups.

There are also questions about what he will stand for on other issues.

Greek Australians are hoping the issue of the re-unification of Cyprus and the usurpation of the name Macedonia by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will enjoy his attention. With one parent from Cyprus and one from Greece he is passionate about his heritage.

"The failure to find a lasting resolution to the division of Cyprus reflects on the entire European Union community," he said. "The presence of Turkish occupation troops is a wound dividing beautiful Cyprus and a wound that will not heal until they leave."

Mr Xenophon believes Greek Australians can play an important role in the re-unification of Cyprus. "Ethnic community groups including media could establish bridging courses where second and third generation Greeks can nurture the connection they have to their heritage. The Greek and Cypriot diaspora could become the nation's largest lobby group."

With an uncle in Greece calling him 50% Greek, 50% Cypriot and 100% Australian, he finds himself passionate about multiculturalism. "Australia's experience with multiculturalism is a shining example to the rest of the world," he said. "In very few developed nations can you see such a high level of harmony and cohesion between diverse multi-faith, multi-lingual groups.'

"We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams," he said, quoting former US president Jimmy Carter.

However, he is not as quick to quote George Bush. "Iraq has been an unmitigated disaster and tragedy. However, we can still maintain a strong relationship with the USA without sending Australian troops to fight and die on foreign soil. As Australians, we must hold and be true to our own moral compass. "

As if this was not enough, farmers and fruit growers in South Australia's drought-stricken Riverland and Murray Dowling have pinned their hopes on him as a rainmaker.

The former personal injuries lawyer and populist politician, Mr Xenephon has been compared to Frank Capra's Jefferson Smith, the protagonist in the classic film, Mr Smith Goes to Washington. In the film the idealistic Mr Smith fights a web of graft and perjury when he is asked to vote for a bill that will serve the vested interests of corrupt politicians and property developers.

The film has become emblematic of the notion that the individual can make a difference and inspired a generation of whistleblowers including Watergate and Iran-Contra. As an independent MP, Mr Xenophon can act quickly and judiciously when it comes to addressing injustice.

"My twin obsessions are equity and fairness," he said. "Issues and policies will always change in politics but ultimately we must remain faithful to Australia's legal, ethical and moral framework."

"I don't think politicians are better than anyone else," said Mr Xenephon, who typically flies economy class. He has also earned the antipathy of powerful political incumbents in Adelaide and Canberra by exposing politicians for their abuse of power and misuse of government privileges.

"I would also like to see more corporate governance and accountability, stronger disclosure laws regarding donations and importantly new shield laws for journalists to be able to speak without fear or favour.'

With friends like Stephen Mayne of Crikey.com.au and his own radio gig lined up in South Australia, it is expected that Mr Xenophon will continue his campaign to expose corruption in public office and fight for the disenfranchised - powered by his twin-engine of justice on a campaign that will take him to the Senate in July 2008.

In 2006, during state elections in South Australia he received more than 20% of the vote despite the major parties preferencing against him. This result stands as unprecedented in Australian political history.

When he announced he would be standing for a Senate seat, he called a press conference at the Giraffe enclosure of Adelaide Zoo where he stated he would be 'sticking his neck out' for his constituents.

Mr Xenophon also recently released a best-selling 2007 stunt calendar detailing his use of animals (dogs, giraffes, goats, mules) in his media campaigns.

Presently, Mr Xenophon is experiencing stunt block, no doubt a relief to the many Canberra-based politicians.