Libs to put heat on Xenophon: analyst
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Dreams of Parliament House Canberra ... Nick Xenophon will face Liberal Party pressure, says a political analyst. (ABC Canberra)
Senate hopeful Nick Xenophon is seeking volunteers and donations for his bold campaign to enter federal parliament.
The South Australian independent MP who wants to make the switch to Canberra says he will need money to promote the fact that his name will not appear above the line on the voting paper, a fact he thinks will make his upper house dream harder to achieve.
Mr Xenophon has denied suggestions that he canvassed his Senate run with Labor Party members.
The question remains of whether the MP's replacement in the SA Parliament will be his running mate, John Darley, from last year's upper house ticket.
Political analyst Greg McCarthy of Adelaide University thinks Labor in SA would have little to gain from blocking Mr Darley's elevation with a ALP candidate.
"If there was one seat that made the difference and they could turn the balance of power in the Legislative Council they might be tempted, but it doesn't make much difference to them," he said.
"Can [Mr] Xenophon handle the broad spectrum of being a senator?
"My guess is that because the Liberal Party also feel the most vulnerable that they'll turn up the heat on him."
