Former Northern Territory Senator Jumps Ship to Liberal Democrats

Nationals Senator Sam McMahon makes a statement on the Northern Territory in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 7, 2020. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Former Coalition Senator Sam McMahon will enter the upcoming Australian federal election race as a candidate for the libertarian-leaning Liberal Democrats.

The former senator resigned in late January from the Country Liberal Party (CLP)—part of the governing centre-right Coalition—after losing a tough pre-selection contest to former Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price.