"You can ask me anything."
I wasn't sure what to expect meeting Derryn Hinch, a man who's been a fixture on TV since my childhood.
But the new Senator was warm and welcoming, inviting us into the empty office he'd only just been given the keys to.
He opens up the blinds for us.
"It's got a bit of a view I think. We've got a courtyard, which is good, and I think I get some artwork, which will be nice."
We need to film some sequences for our SBS World News story and the veteran broadcaster happily obliges, knowing exactly what makes good television.
He runs me through the pack handed out to the 14 new senators who arrived in Canberra this week for three days of Senate school.
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New senators arrive for school
"Oh that's good, Senate practice, need that one. Pocket guide to Senate procedure, I certainly need that one."
Then he smiles: "Senators allowances, think I'll need that one".
It's time to sit down for the interview. As I think it is good journalistic practice, especially for someone I've never met, I start to run through some of the topics I want to ask him about.
He interrupts me.
"Don't bother, you can ask me anything."
He says that an ex-producer rejected his offer to be his media advisor, telling the new Senator he wouldn't take advice anyway.
"And that's true. Most politicians have media advisors to protect them from the media. If I can't protect myself then I don't deserve to be in the business," he laughs.
"Don't bother, you can ask me anything"
For now, all inquiries are left to his long-time PA Annette Philpott, who has been swamped with requests.
Also in the office is Glenn Druery, but political aficionados may know him by his other name: "The Preference Whisperer".
It was Druery who helped the last batch of cross-bench Senators to do the preference swaps that got them elected and, who some credit with inspiring the Coalition and the Greens to change the Senate voting system.
Senator Hinch has brought him on staff as one of the people with "battle experience" to help him get the job done.
Derryn Hinch has famously twice been to jail for a total of 62 days as a result of breaking suppression orders. He's also had very public health battles but insists he hasn't arrived to be "some TV celebrity who just came in here and wants to do whatever".
We run through his Justice Party agenda: national public register of child sex offenders, confiscating the passports of convicted paedophiles, voluntary euthanasia, banning live exports, ending domestic violence and supporting same-sex marriage.
"I know all the arguments against it (same-sex marriage) because I was opposed to it until about six years ago," he says, "I suddenly realised that my arguments against it were so hollow and so shallow they weren't arguments at all.
"You know if two people love each other, I don't care what your sexuality is and so, our party, we said 'equal rights' because that in one hit covered equal pay; equal rights for women; equal rights everywhere, and same sex marriage comes into it."
But he's opposed to the Turnbull government's plebiscite or a public vote on the issue.
"You know if two people love each other, I don't care what your sexuality is"
"The fear is that they may do - the opponents of same-sex marriage - may do the same thing they did very successfully with the republic (referendum), (that is) muddy the waters so much that you'll get a referendum or a plebiscite that gets messed up and gets knocked back. We've only ever passed about eight of them ever and when in doubt, (people) say no.
"What'll happen if it gets knocked back, it's knocked back for 20 to 25 years and we'll be a laughing stock."
Senator Hinch, along with the 10 other cross-benchers who will decide the fate of many passages of government legislation, has been wooed by both major parties. So is he worried about the pressure?
"I think today the schmoozing stops. I've had the calls from all of them. I've had the calls from the prime minister, (I've) met up with Bill Shorten, I've met up with (Attorney-General George) Brandis and (Treasurer Scott) Morrison; and met up with (Senator Nick) Xenophon and (Senator Sam) Dastyari. I've talked to Jacqui Lambie."
He and One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson had an awkward on-camera introduction today. They're not on the friendliest terms, but that may change.
He hopes to impress enough this term to be re-elected and serve at least nine years. That would take him to the age of 81.
"I think today the schmoozing stops"
"I have a journalist's fascination for it. I mean today was quite emotional when I was handed my little pin and got the pin here and I thought, it's extraordinary. I mean the last time I was in Canberra I was a defendant in the High Court.
"It's daunting but I've still got fire in the belly. I can't wait, they'll know I'm here."
We sure will.
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