[3][4] He resigned from the DLP to become an independent in September 2014, and later launched "John Madigan's Manufacturing and Farming Party" in 2015.

Born into a Catholic family, Madigan belonged to a youth group run by the National Civic Council founder, B.

Madigan resigned from the DLP and became an independent Senator on 4 September 2014, citing long-term internal party tensions.

John Madigan's Manufacturing and Farming Party was voluntarily deregistered by the Australian Electoral Commission on 13 September 2016.

[16] Former prime minister Tony Abbott eulogised Madigan as "a fine representative of a worthy political tradition" with an "old-fashioned sense of courtesy and respect for others".

[20][21] From 2011 onward, Madigan's chief of staff was Brendan Gullifer,[22] a journalist and writer who has published articles against wind power.

[6][26] In his maiden speech to the Senate, Madigan denounced Victoria's "inhumane" abortion laws and committed to help restore Australia's dwindling manufacturing sector.

He said that the DLP and ALP differed in a number of ways, stating:[27][28] We both came from the same lineage and however some members on both sides may dislike it, we are kin, of sorts.