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The Forum > Article Comments > Senator X – a rolling stone gathers no policies > Comments

Senator X – a rolling stone gathers no policies : Comments

By Malcolm King, published 18/7/2011

Senator Nick Xenophon is highly visible, but what real success is there to justify it?

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The author misses the point by a long way here. Nick gets votes becuase he cares about stuff. He gives people a voice and sometimes that's all people want..To be heard, to be listened to.
Most party hacks are cardboard cutouts.
Posted by Kenny, Monday, 18 July 2011 10:42:53 AM
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I'm not so sure this is a criticism of Senator X or whether it is a criticism of Adelaide.

Senator X has had a free ride in the media so far but one must wonder whether after holding the balance of power in the Senate for three years, what he has achieved.

In Adelaide, Senator X is like a knight from the Round Table. Lauded, praised and feted. I tend to think that in 'Adders' that the real story lies not in Senator X but how the City of Churches is going to survive with a basket case economy which adds less that six percent to GDP.
Posted by Cheryl, Monday, 18 July 2011 11:36:38 AM
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Malcolm, if you don't like Senator X, then perhaps you should put your money where your mouth is and stand against him at the next election.

David
Posted by VK3AUU, Monday, 18 July 2011 3:57:13 PM
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I live in Adelaide as well, Senator X is a very cunning operator with the media, if he feels he will score with the public on some issue that he knows will tug at their heart strings then the media are brought in to report it, we all then say what a good boy Senator X is for doing just that, but if he feels that perhaps he will not get mileage out of some issue then he ignores that particular issue, in other words he vets all of his issues, if there is no political gain for me then forget it.
Like the letter writer I am extremely cautious where Senator X is coming from.
Posted by Ojnab, Monday, 18 July 2011 5:35:33 PM
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I couldn't disagree more with this article.

Having lived in Adelaide, with many friends still resident, and knowing the issues that led Senator X to be so popular, the article misses a big point. Adelaide did not have pokies until much later than the other states and Adelaide people did not want them (by and large). Despite various discussions over the years pokies stayed out until more strident influences led to legalisation of pokies despite the majority of public resistance. A real democracy...Not.

Senator X won on this issue alone and in his pursuit of issues largely ignored by other politicians and parties.

"Senator Xenophon uses the media to draw the audience over to his personal brand of political performance. His pronouncements are rarely treated with scrutiny because, after all, he represents the 'battlers'."

All politicians use the media. Howard also represented the 'battlers'. These comments are disingenuous - wish that more politicians could be more personal and less robotic in their responses.

Many politicians would love to be able to display their personal brand when not stifled by pressures to tow the party line. Some manage it despite the party line but Senator X is an Independent and thus is able to participate more freely without those pressures.

This is just an anti-Senator X article that really misses the point.
Posted by pelican, Tuesday, 19 July 2011 12:58:13 PM
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Nick Xenophon's private senator's bill to amend the public interest test for tax concessions for charities and not-for-profits has resulted not just in a senate inquiry but in the government committing to the creation of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. The Assistant Treasurer announced that the scoping study includes the amendment to the public interest test promoted by Senator X.

I've watched Nick operate during the last two years. He doesn't have anyone he can rely on to vote with him. His levers are public opinion, which requires involving the media, the mechanisms of the senate (private members bills and senate committees) and good old-fashioned persuasion.

He is extremely capable at getting a public discussion or debate going. Two years ago, no one in Australia was talking about cults, yet hundreds, perhaps thousands of people are deeply wounded. Stay tuned, though, because a government report about Scientology is about to drop that will shock many, all thanks to Nick.
Posted by Hazel Wright, Tuesday, 19 July 2011 3:00:41 PM
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