Former Liberal Cory Bernardi to Lead One Nation in South Australian State Election
In a notable political development, Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has confirmed that former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi will spearhead their ticket for the upcoming South Australian state election. The announcement, made late on Monday, ends speculation about Bernardi's political future following his departure from the federal Senate in 2020.
A Conservative Alliance Forms
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson expressed strong support for Bernardi, highlighting his alignment with the party's values. "Cory has strong, sound conservative values that are an excellent fit with One Nation," Hanson stated. "He's a prominent South Australian keen to make the positive differences in his home state the Liberals just can't bring themselves to make."
Bernardi, who served under Liberal leaders including Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott, left the Coalition in 2017, citing that the party was not conservative enough. He subsequently founded the Australian Conservatives before exiting the Senate in 2020. Since then, he has worked as a Sky News commentator and podcast host until 2023.
Election Strategy and Policy Visions
The pair are scheduled to hold a joint press conference on Tuesday morning to outline their campaign strategy. Bernardi will lead One Nation's ticket for the SA legislative council in the election, set for late March.
In his initial statements, Bernardi emphasised key issues without detailing specific policies. He pledged that One Nation would focus on:
- Reducing government spending and taxes
- Managing state debt effectively
- Addressing concerns over health and education services
- Cutting excessive regulation, which he referred to as "red, green and black tape"
- Reforming environmental policies
Bernardi criticised both major Labor and Coalition parties, arguing they have failed ordinary South Australians. "Their wages are flat, their costs are rising, and many no longer recognise communities that have become increasingly unsafe," he claimed.
Broader Political Implications
This move is part of One Nation's broader effort to attract high-profile figures to its ranks. Party chief of staff James Ashby had previously hinted at "some very big names" joining this week, suggesting it would "shock the nation." Bernardi's recruitment follows other former Coalition members, such as George Christensen, who recently shared Bernardi's Substack post expressing support for One Nation's progress.
In that post, Bernardi wrote about "lending my shoulder to the ON wheel" and praised One Nation's growth as a lesson for those aspiring to create change. His return to politics under Hanson's banner signals a consolidation of conservative forces ahead of the state election, potentially reshaping South Australia's political landscape.
As the campaign unfolds, observers will watch closely to see how this alliance impacts voter sentiment and whether Bernardi's conservative credentials can bolster One Nation's appeal in a competitive electoral environment.
