Former Nick Xenophon ally and independent senator for South Australia Rex Patrick says it is 'highly likely' he will seek to run for north & west SA regional federal seat of Grey in the next federal election.
Speaking with Flow listeners on Wednesday, Senator Patrick indicated the recent comments from former senator Xenophon - with whom Senator Patrick keeps in contact - may force his hand on running for Grey:
"It was a seed planted by the Liberal Party and look so I hadn't given it any thought until Nick Xenophon stuck up his hand and said he might run for the senate, he's my old boss, he gave me his seat.
"I'd find great difficulty in contesting Nick, noting that he'd handed the reins to me, in those circumstances it would be highly likely I would switch to Grey ... but right now I want to represent South Australians right across South Australia."
The Senator and self-professed 'Whyalla boy' was speaking with Flow about the poor outcomes for Grey in the latest Dropping off the Edge report by Jesuit Social Services and the Centre for Just Places, which communities in the seat of Grey in the top 20 most disadvantaged in the state of Coober Pedy (2nd), Port Augusta (6th), Port Pirie (7th), Wallaroo (10th), Ceduna (12th), Moonta (16th), the Outback (17th) and Whyalla (20th).
Despite the electorate containing a sizeable portion of Australia's uranium reserves, the senator said he did not see any prospects for a domestic nuclear energy industry, preferring renewables to win the race to sure up baseload energy needs. Senator Patrick however supports export of uranium to approved nations.
Listen to the full interview on the FlowNews24 podcast: