Ricky Muir, is likely to win a Senate Seat on the Austalian Motor Enthusiasts Party ticket. Source: News Limited
COMMODORE-loving Senate candidate Ricky Muir says he will be able to mix it with the heavyweights in Canberra if he picks up a seat.
Mr Muir has shocked himself, his grandmother and other politicians with his meteoric rise despite collecting only 0.51 per cent of the vote.
The Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party's preference deals look likely to secure him Victoria's sixth Senate place.
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Mr Muir, who told the Herald Sun he was unemployed, stands to earn at least $195,130 a year if elected.
He said he was stunned when the votes began tallying in his favour.
"It was very overwhelming and very exciting. It just goes to show that the Australian people want something different," he said.
He said he would only detail his view on the carbon tax and paid parental leave once he was confirmed as a Senator.
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But Mr Muir admitted he had posted jokes online blaming September 11 on George W Bush and that he appeared in a YouTube video where he throws kangaroo droppings.
"It's obviously been blown way out of proportion," he said.
"Kangaroos are always in that camp zone.
"You can't get out of bed without standing in it, so it was just a joke.
Ricky Muir Source: Supplied
"At that time, I didn't even know I was going to become a politician."
He said that his comment about September 11 was stupid, and doesn't reflect how he now feels.
His grandmother Nancy was still waiting to see what Mr Muir will do in Canberra.
"I didn't hear what his promises were, I'm still in the dark," she said yesterday.
Mrs Muir said she did not vote for her grandson.
"I am very proud of him, I just find it difficult to believe he was able to do it," she said.
The former sawmill worker is not alone in turning a small number of votes into significant electoral power.
The Australian Sports Party has a shot at winning a Western Australian seat and Glenn Lazarus and Jacqui Lambie are set to bring the Palmer United Party into the Senate.
The Liberal Democrats, who were boosted by donkey votes because it was the first listed on the New South Wales ballot paper, and Family First were the other minor parties likely to take power.
Liberal Democrats candidate David Leyonhjelm said his pro-gun, pro-gay marriage party would use the Federal election result as a springboard into state elections, where it could lobby to change gun laws.
"Gun control never reduced crime in any country, it didn't in Australia, all it did was beat up on sporting shooters," he said.
stephen.drill@news.com.au
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