'I didn't want to die wondering whether I could've made a contribution': John Anderson

Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson says his attempt to return to the Nationals on the senate ticket was brought about because he thinks Australia is in "grave danger".

Mr Anderson lost the pre-selection bid last week to former NSW National Party state director Ross Cadell.

"I felt I didn't want to die wondering whether I could've made contribution if my old party wanted me," he told Sky News host Alan Jones.

"It was an unusual thing to do I know that – but I did so because I actually think Australia is in grave danger.

"I think the Commonwealth government was put together by the states over 120 years ago so that we could have a coordinated approach to the two key things that matter for all Australians.

"Security, defence and what have you, and the economic management that goes with it – and both need urgent attention at the moment.

"But we're held back from focusing on it as a nation because we're now so divided – this is a western-wide thing."

Видео 'I didn't want to die wondering whether I could've made a contribution': John Anderson канала Sky News Australia