Centre Alliance
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:06:44 PM Wikipedia source
Centre Alliance (CA), formerly known as the Nick Xenophon Team (NXT), is a centrist Australian political party based in the state of South Australia. It currently has one elected representative, Rebekha Sharkie in the House of Representatives; since 2022 she has been the party's only candidate, describing herself as "a party of one", and citing savings in the party account as the main reason for her not to run as an independent. Since its founding in July 2013, the party has twice changed names. At the time of the 2016 federal election, it was known as the Nick Xenophon Team. After Nick Xenophon founded SA-BEST, an affiliated state-based party, NXT sought to change its name to SA-BEST (Federal). However, prior to Australian Electoral Commission approval, Xenophon left politics, and the party withdrew its application and changed its name to Centre Alliance. In 2018, Centre Alliance senator Stirling Griff stated that SA-BEST is "a separate entity, a separate association, a separate party" from Centre Alliance. The party's ideological focus is a combination of socially liberal and populist policies, drawing from the positions of Xenophon. Its present members have variously declared support for same-sex marriage, reform of the Australian Intelligence Community, action on climate change, support for military veterans, affordable tax cuts, Australian-made manufacturing (including defence-industry spending), and legalising euthanasia.
Infobox
Tables
| House of Representatives (South Australia) | ||||||
| Election | Leader | Candidates | Seats won | ± | Total votes | % |
| 2016 | Nick Xenophon | 11 / 11 | 1 / 11 | 1 | 221,210 | 21.26% |
| 2019 | None | 3 / 10 | 1 / 10 | | 46,931 | 4.38% |
| 2022 | None | 1 / 10 | 1 / 10 | | 36,500 | 3.32% |
| 2025 | None | 1 / 10 | 1 / 10 | | 37,453 | 3.31% |
| Senate (South Australia) | |||||||
| Election | Leader | Seats won | Total seats | ± | Total votes | % | |
| 2013 | Nick Xenophon | 1 / 6 | 1 / 12 | 1 | 258,376 | 24.88% | |
| 2016 | Nick Xenophon | 3 / 12 | 3 / 12 | 2 | 230,866 | 21.76% | |
| 2019 | None | 0 / 6 | 2 / 12 | 1 | 28,416 | 2.60% | |
| 2022 | None | 0 / 6 | 0 / 12 | 2 | 0 | 0% | |
References
- "Centre Alliance"https://centrealliance.org.au/
- Sydney Morning Heraldhttp://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nick-xenophons-plan-to-build-a-new-political-force-is-faltering-20160114-gm62di.html
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- The Sydney Morning Heraldhttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/university-funding-reforms-to-pass-after-centre-alliance-confirms-support-20201006-p562da.html
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- "Xenophon's business hit squad"http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nick-xenophon-lines-up-small-business-hit-squad/news-story/a6b4c3190b3210cdad681540d72907cf
- The Sydney Morning Heraldhttps://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/subs-backlash-nick-xenophon-sets-sights-on-liberalheld-seats-in-adelaide-20150406-1mez7u.html
- Australian Electoral Commissionhttps://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2016/candidates.htm
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- Australian Electoral Commissionhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/guide/grey/
- Australian Electoral Commissionhttp://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDefault-20499.htm
- Australian Electoral Commissionhttps://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/SenateSenatorsElected-20499.htm#sa
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- ABC Newshttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-07/skye-kakoschke-moore-preselected-for-centre-alliance-senate/10213138
- The Murray Valley Standardhttps://www.murrayvalleystandard.com/story/5702787/centre-alliances-kelly-gladigau-to-oppose-liberal-mp-tony-pasin-at-federal-election/
- ABC Newshttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-23/andrea-broadfoot-recontesting-grey-after-tight-2016-election/10544934
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- Australian Electoral Commissionhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/mayo
- Australian Electoral Commissionhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/senate-sa
- Australian Electoral Commissionhttps://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/results/senate