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ABC News
ABC News
Politics
Leah MacLennan

Nick Xenophon's federal party drops his name

Former senator Nick Xenophon's name will be dropped from the federal party.

With Nick Xenophon without a parliamentary seat in Canberra or South Australia, the 'Nick Xenophon Team' will officially change its name to the 'Centre Alliance'.

The party put out a statement today, saying it's lodged an application with the Australian Electoral Commission to make the change.

It said Mr Xenophon supported the new name, and would remain a voting member of the party.

After the 2016 federal election, NXT was on a high, winning three Senate seats and one lower house seat.

Since then, things have changed, with Mr Xenophon quitting for an ill-fated run at state politics and Skye Kakoschke-Moore losing her seat as part the citizenship saga.

Ms Kakoschke-Moore was replaced by Tim Storer, who quit the party before he was appointed.

It leaves the newly named Centre Alliance with Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff in the Senate, and Rebekha Sharkie in the seat of Mayo, who herself remains under a citizenship cloud.

In the statement, Mr Xenophon said he was proud of the parliamentary team's achievements.

"These changes are both welcome and necessary to ensure the party can build on existing levels of support," he said.

"I look forward to maintaining a strong association with all of my colleagues and welcoming future new parliamentary members, from South Australia and other states."

The name change will only affect the Canberra team, with SA Best maintaining its name in South Australia.

While counting hasn't officially finished for the state's legislative council, it's likely the party will have two members — Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo.

Despite running in 36 lower house seats, it failed to win any.

The newly named Centre Alliance said its core issues will be transparent and accountable government, and Australian industry and nation-building endeavours.

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