Cory Bernardi One Nation Bid Reshapes SA Election Race

Published: 02 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has confirmed he will contest the upcoming South Australian election with One Nation, marking a significant shift in the state’s conservative political landscape. The move places Cory Bernardi One Nation at the centre of renewed debate about right-wing momentum and voter dissatisfaction across South Australia. Verified reports from multiple international and UK-based outlets indicate the announcement followed days of speculation and internal party discussions. The development signals a strategic effort by Pauline Hanson to convert rising polling support into measurable parliamentary representation at state level.

Pauline Hanson confirmed that Bernardi will lead One Nation’s Legislative Council ticket at the March state election. The confirmation arrived late Monday after widespread online discussion and party insider hints circulated throughout the day. Hanson and Bernardi are scheduled to appear together in Adelaide for a formal media briefing. Party sources say the decision followed weeks of negotiation and alignment talks on policy direction and campaign priorities. Observers describe the Cory Bernardi One Nation partnership as one of the party’s most high-profile state recruitment efforts.

Hanson praised Bernardi’s long-standing conservative credentials and described him as a strong ideological fit for the party. She said his experience and public profile would help strengthen the party’s credibility among undecided conservative voters. Hanson also argued that South Australia needs sharper policy alternatives than those currently offered by major parties. Her statement emphasised frustration with what she called policy hesitation from the Liberal establishment in the state. She framed Cory Bernardi One Nation as a practical alliance rather than a symbolic gesture.

Bernardi said his decision was driven by concern over government spending, rising costs, and regulatory burdens on households. He stated that voters are struggling with flat wages and increasing living expenses across essential services. He criticised both Labor and Liberal leadership in South Australia for failing to deliver meaningful economic relief. He also pointed to excessive regulation and administrative complexity affecting small businesses and community services. According to his remarks, Cory Bernardi One Nation aims to present a clearer fiscal restraint message.

While outlining broad goals, Bernardi did not release detailed policy costings or specific legislative proposals at this stage. He spoke about reducing taxes, lowering state debt, and improving efficiency in health and education systems. He also mentioned the need to cut what he described as red, green, and black tape across sectors. Analysts note that such themes are consistent with his earlier parliamentary and media commentary positions. The Cory Bernardi One Nation message currently focuses more on direction than detailed policy architecture.

One Nation plans to contest every lower house seat in the South Australian election, according to party organisers. Strategists view the contest as a testing ground for whether national polling growth can convert into state seats. Recent opinion surveys suggest the Labor government led by Peter Malinauskas remains in a strong position overall. The Liberal opposition is widely expected to face a difficult electoral contest based on current projections. That context makes Cory Bernardi One Nation a potential protest vote outlet for dissatisfied conservatives.

The party has also teased the arrival of additional high-profile figures, describing them as surprising future announcements. Internal communications to supporters suggested more recognisable political names could soon join the party’s campaign ranks. Speculation briefly centred on Liberal senator Alex Antic, a powerful figure within South Australian Liberal structures. However, multiple verified political sources indicate Antic has reassured colleagues he will remain with the Liberal Party. That clarification narrows the immediate impact of the Cory Bernardi One Nation recruitment wave.

Bernardi previously left the Liberal Party in 2017 after years as one of its most conservative senators. He founded the Australian Conservatives party shortly after his departure from the Liberal ranks. That party was later dissolved in 2019 following limited electoral success and organisational challenges. Bernardi resigned from the federal Senate in 2020, ending his formal parliamentary career at that time. His re-entry through Cory Bernardi One Nation represents a return to frontline electoral politics.

After leaving parliament, Bernardi became a media commentator and hosted a program with Sky News Australia. His show ran until 2023 and focused heavily on conservative social and economic themes. He also continued publishing commentary through digital platforms and subscription newsletters. In a recent online post, he praised One Nation’s organisational persistence and voter outreach strategy. He wrote that supporting their progress was worthwhile for those wanting real political change. That message foreshadowed the Cory Bernardi One Nation alignment now formally announced.

Bernardi built a reputation in federal parliament as a strongly values-driven and outspoken conservative voice. He frequently opposed abortion law reform and same-sex marriage legislation during major national debates. In 2012 he resigned as a parliamentary secretary after controversial remarks linking marriage equality with broader social risks. His statements at the time drew heavy criticism from opponents and civil society groups. Supporters, however, argued he was expressing sincerely held convictions about social policy direction.

In later interviews, Bernardi suggested that parties like One Nation were voicing concerns major parties avoided discussing directly. He once commented that those parties raised issues the Liberals should address with greater clarity and sensitivity. That earlier observation now appears consistent with his present political repositioning decision. The Cory Bernardi One Nation collaboration therefore reflects both ideological continuity and organisational change. It also highlights ongoing fragmentation within Australia’s broader conservative movement.

Political analysts say the electoral effect will depend on preference flows and regional candidate strength. Upper house contests often reward disciplined minor parties with clear messaging and recognisable lead candidates. Bernardi’s name recognition could assist with vote share among older and more politically engaged voters. However, critics argue that past controversies may also mobilise opposition turnout against his candidacy. The Cory Bernardi One Nation ticket will likely attract strong reactions from both supporters and critics.

Voter sentiment across South Australia remains shaped by cost pressures, service access concerns, and infrastructure debates. Minor parties are attempting to position themselves as sharper alternatives to cautious major party platforms. One Nation’s strategy appears focused on converting frustration into structured electoral support this cycle. Bernardi’s selection fits that approach by adding experience and media familiarity to the campaign front line. Whether Cory Bernardi One Nation can secure a decisive seat remains one of the election’s open questions.

The coming weeks are expected to bring fuller policy releases and targeted campaign messaging from the party. Joint appearances by Hanson and Bernardi will likely focus on economic pressure and governance accountability themes. Rival parties are preparing counterarguments centred on stability and policy detail rather than protest positioning. Voters will ultimately judge whether this new alignment offers substance or symbolism at the ballot box. The Cory Bernardi One Nation campaign now moves from speculation into active electoral testing.

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