Analysis: Xenophon 'kept the bastards honest'

Nick Xenophon, the man, will be missed in Canberra.

He’s basically a good bloke. He’s also rational, reasonable, and sensible.

A true “gate keeper”, who’s “kept the bastards honest”.

Especially since he and his team have played a major balance of power role.

But Nick Xenophon, “the number”, will still wield power and influence.

His departure from the Federal scene, back to State politics in Adelaide, won’t change the Canberra landscape.

Caught up in the citizenship debacle, Xenophon will wait until the High Court decides if he was or wasn’t eligible to stand for the Senate, before he walks away.

Either way, he’ll be replaced by one of his own, leaving the numbers in the Upper House unchanged.

It’s just a matter of how he’s replaced.

If the High Court rubs him out, his place will be taken by the next Nick Xenophon Team candidate on the ticket.

If, as his lawyers are confident, he’ll be cleared by the High Court, he’ll resign.

He’d then be replaced by a candidate of his party’s choice.

So, nothing changes.

And, as the colourful Xenophon said at his media conference, he’ll continue to oversee his Federal team.

No doubt, the Nick Xenophon Team, in Canberra, will still play a key role… even if Nick Xenophon isn’t in Canberra.