Topzle Topzle

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

Abbreviation
CA
Founder
Nick Xenophon
Founded
1 July 2013; 12 years ago (2013-07-01)
Preceded by
No Pokies
Headquarters
Adelaide, South Australia
Ideology
mw- Social liberalismPopulismSouth Australia regionalism
Political position
Centre
Colours
mw- Orange Black
Slogan
Working in South Australia's interests
House of Representatives
1 / 150
Senate
0 / 76

Tables

· Election results
Election
Election
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Election
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Leader
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Candidates
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Seats won
House of Representatives (South Australia)
±
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Total votes
House of Representatives (South Australia)
%
2016
2016
House of Representatives (South Australia)
2016
House of Representatives (South Australia)
Nick Xenophon
House of Representatives (South Australia)
11 / 11
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 11
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1
House of Representatives (South Australia)
221,210
House of Representatives (South Australia)
21.26%
2019
2019
House of Representatives (South Australia)
2019
House of Representatives (South Australia)
None
House of Representatives (South Australia)
3 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
House of Representatives (South Australia)
46,931
House of Representatives (South Australia)
4.38%
2022
2022
House of Representatives (South Australia)
2022
House of Representatives (South Australia)
None
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
House of Representatives (South Australia)
36,500
House of Representatives (South Australia)
3.32%
2025
2025
House of Representatives (South Australia)
2025
House of Representatives (South Australia)
None
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
1 / 10
House of Representatives (South Australia)
House of Representatives (South Australia)
37,453
House of Representatives (South Australia)
3.31%
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%
· Election results
Election
Election
Senate (South Australia)
Election
Senate (South Australia)
Leader
Senate (South Australia)
Seats won
Senate (South Australia)
Total seats
Senate (South Australia)
±
Senate (South Australia)
Total votes
Senate (South Australia)
%
2013
2013
Senate (South Australia)
2013
Senate (South Australia)
Nick Xenophon
Senate (South Australia)
1 / 6
Senate (South Australia)
1 / 12
Senate (South Australia)
1
Senate (South Australia)
258,376
Senate (South Australia)
24.88%
2016
2016
Senate (South Australia)
2016
Senate (South Australia)
Nick Xenophon
Senate (South Australia)
3 / 12
Senate (South Australia)
3 / 12
Senate (South Australia)
2
Senate (South Australia)
230,866
Senate (South Australia)
21.76%
2019
2019
Senate (South Australia)
2019
Senate (South Australia)
None
Senate (South Australia)
0 / 6
Senate (South Australia)
2 / 12
Senate (South Australia)
1
Senate (South Australia)
28,416
Senate (South Australia)
2.60%
2022
2022
Senate (South Australia)
2022
Senate (South Australia)
None
Senate (South Australia)
0 / 6
Senate (South Australia)
0 / 12
Senate (South Australia)
2
Senate (South Australia)
0
Senate (South Australia)
0%
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

  1. "Centre Alliance"
    https://centrealliance.org.au/
  2. Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nick-xenophons-plan-to-build-a-new-political-force-is-faltering-20160114-gm62di.html
  3. 6 News Australia
    https://www.6newsau.com/post/rebekha-sharkie-open-to-talking-to-both-sides-in-hung-parliament
  4. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-10/nick-xenophons-party-drops-his-name/9636598
  5. Podcast mpegmedia.abc.net.au March 2018 Archived 13 February 2024 at the Wayback Machine
    http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2018/03/bst_20180320_0806.mp3
  6. "Brexit, Trump... Xenophon? Australia's modest populist backlash"
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/brexit-trump-xenophon-australias-populist-backlash-nowhere-near-britain-and-us-experts-say-20160627-gpt00o.html
  7. "Turnbull must contain populists to win the battle of ideas"
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/paul-kelly/turnbull-must-contain-populists-to-win-the-battle-of-ideas/news-story/01f3464eb5f3b903dcd26ebc1610f67a
  8. "Populism is not a dirty word"
    https://ipa.org.au/publications-ipa/opinion/populism-is-not-dirty-word
  9. ISideWith
    https://australia.isidewith.com/parties/centre-alliance
  10. Australian Associated Press
    https://www.sbs.com.au/news/senators-argue-territories-euthanasia-bill
  11. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/aug/15/euthanasia-bill-in-doubt-as-two-senators-reverse-position
  12. Australian Electoral Commission
    http://results.aec.gov.au/17496/Website/SenateStateFirstPrefsByGroup-17496-SA.htm
  13. Nxt.org.au
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160228042145/https://nxt.org.au/governance/
  14. www.ecsa.sa.gov.au
    https://web.archive.org/web/20200928022350/https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/past-state-election-results/7653?view=result
  15. "Legislative Council state summary"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150312053111/http://ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/state-elections/past-state-election-results/7653?view=result
  16. Sunday Mail
    http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/nick-xenophon-launching-new-south-australian-party-called-sa-best/news-story/5be68c62bca57d9f5edb108ae311d354
  17. "Nick Xenophon launches SA Best party for 2018 South Australian election"
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-05/nick-xenophon-launches-party-sa-best-for-state-election/8325814
  18. "Register of political parties"
    http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/parties-and-candidates/how-to-register-a-political-party/political-party-register
  19. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-17/nick-xenophon-labelled-complete-dictator-by-john-darley/8817462
  20. Australian Associated Press
    http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/17/xenophon-mp-quits-party-sa
  21. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-17/john-darley-quits-nick-xenophon-team-south-australia/8817462
  22. Register of Political Parties
    http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/party_registration/applications/files/2018/change-register-nick-xenophon.pdf
  23. Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918
    http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/party_registration/Registration_Decisions/2018/2018-xenophon-withdraw.pdf
  24. InDaily
    https://indaily.com.au/news/politics/2018/04/10/nick-off-xenophon-dropped-radical-nxt-rebrand
  25. "Register of Political Parties"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210707210147/https://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/party_registration/applications/files/2018/nick-xenophon-consumer-rights-no-toll-logos.pdf
  26. Centre Alliance
    https://centrealliance.org.au/sa-needs-leaders/frequently-asked-questions/
  27. "Application to change the Register of Political Parties Nick Xenophon Team"
    https://aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/party_registration/Registration_Decisions/2018/2018-6358.pdf
  28. Rex Patrick
    https://www.rexpatrick.com.au/rex_goes_independent
  29. Rex Patrick
    https://www.rexpatrick.com.au/sic_em_rex_rex_patrick_team_steps_into_the_political_battle
  30. The Maitland Mercury
    http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/4347594/revealed-senator-nick-xenophon-the-staffer-and-the-national-security-leak/?cs=8
  31. The Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/election-2016-meet-jamie-briggs-slayer-rebekha-sharkie-20160703-gpxbpv.htmlz
  32. Australian Financial Review
    http://www.afr.com/news/politics/election/new-nick-xenophon-mp-rebekha-sharkie-says-she-no-oneterm-wonder-20160703-gpxc9n
  33. Australian Financial Review
    http://www.afr.com/leadership/rebekha-sharkie-puts-the-election-bite-on-jamie-briggs-20160513-goulvx
  34. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/university-funding-reforms-to-pass-after-centre-alliance-confirms-support-20201006-p562da.html
  35. "The power behind the Xenophon throne"
    http://indaily.com.au/news/2015/10/21/the-power-behind-the-xenophon-throne/
  36. "Xenophon party promises no egomaniacs, no academics"
    https://www.crikey.com.au/2015/10/22/xenophon-party-promises-no-egomaniacs-no-academics/
  37. "Xenophon's business hit squad"
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nick-xenophon-lines-up-small-business-hit-squad/news-story/a6b4c3190b3210cdad681540d72907cf
  38. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/subs-backlash-nick-xenophon-sets-sights-on-liberalheld-seats-in-adelaide-20150406-1mez7u.html
  39. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2016/candidates.htm
  40. The Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nick-xenophons-plan-to-build-a-new-political-force-is-faltering-20160114-gm62di.html
  41. The New Daily
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2016/01/25/nick-xenophon-party-beats-labor-sa-poll/
  42. Roy Morgan
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115146/http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6656-morgan-poll-state-voting-intention-february-2016-201602030229
  43. The Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/as-clive-palmer-falls-nick-xenophon-soars-20160129-gmgxal.html
  44. Roy Morgan
    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6691-morgan-poll-federal-voting-intention-february-22-2016-201602220504
  45. The Advertiser
    http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/double-dissolution-could-mean-six-senate-seats-for-nick-xenophons-party/news-story/63379290c8bc9d1fc73b1d18c6a7e769
  46. "Federal Election Preview: South Australia"
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/guide/preview-sa/
  47. "PM's Team Xenophon trepidation"
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2015/10/28/turnbulls-trepidation-team-xenophon/
  48. "Candidate 'courts Hanson vote'"
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nick-xenophon-candidate-rebekha-sharkie-courts-hanson-vote/news-story/a3b2339c278dc79ccbd0bdf11ee42c53
  49. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-02/election-2016-martin-hamilton-smith-former-liberal-backs-nxt/7563632
  50. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-30/turnbulls-final-election-pitch-at-press-club/7557568
  51. The Australian
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-nick-xenophons-claim-over-tenant-limit/news-story/e822fc544fbbd02f880fcfe10c15beae
  52. The Australian
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-xenophon-his-donor-and-the-timor-tieup/news-story/d97f63cae433fc1fb3b92f00e348ce00
  53. results.aec.gov.au
    http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/SenateDivisionMenu-13745-SA.htm
  54. Australian Electoral Commission
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/guide/bark/
  55. Australian Electoral Commission
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2016/guide/grey/
  56. Australian Electoral Commission
    http://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDefault-20499.htm
  57. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/SenateSenatorsElected-20499.htm#sa
  58. "Nick Xenophon reveals his 2016 election budget hits $1m"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180629021752/https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/nick-xenophon-reveals-his-2016-election-budget-hits-1m/news-story/175e45963ebda967b8b43b46fb3328a0
  59. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-07/skye-kakoschke-moore-preselected-for-centre-alliance-senate/10213138
  60. The Murray Valley Standard
    https://www.murrayvalleystandard.com/story/5702787/centre-alliances-kelly-gladigau-to-oppose-liberal-mp-tony-pasin-at-federal-election/
  61. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-23/andrea-broadfoot-recontesting-grey-after-tight-2016-election/10544934
  62. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/mayo
  63. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/mayo
  64. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guide/senate-sa
  65. Australian Electoral Commission
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/results/senate
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.