Cory Bernardi’s singing the praises of his life outside the swirling vortex of politics

From pilates and kiteboarding to country music and Coffin Bay, the former senator shares just how relaxed he is now outside of politics.

Cory Bernardi relaxes during his Krav Maga training session. Picture: MIKE BURTON

Cory Bernardi has never been more relaxed. Whether that’s merely from quitting the swirling vortex that is federal politics or more his new-found passions of pilates, kiteboarding and, even, country music, he’s not sure.

He’s animated and candid as we chat over coffee in a city cafe, and laughs as he confesses he’s removed his suspicious hat he has donned for many a previous interview. We swap stories on parenting, TV shows, music and exercise, and Bernardi tries to convince this journalist to give pilates a go, instead of barre. It’s great for flexibility, something the fit 51-year-old hasn’t previously listed among his many skills.

“I’m really not very good at it, but they’re very patient with me and they only laugh at me once a class,” he confides. “It was about balancing mind and body. As men, we tend to do weights or bootcamp and I’ve done all of these things and enjoyed them all, but you find you become less flexible. I started to think about how am I going to be when I am 75. I still want to be mobile.”

Successful at most things he tackles – Bernardi was a champion rower and charming hotelier, he was known as the “Boy King” for becoming the Liberal Party state president at just 28 and then transformed into one of the nation’s most polarising politicians. It’s somewhat of a different story for his new interests. But, he’s, again, surprisingly chill at not being the best.

Australian Senator Cory Bernardi is seen during an election debate at the South Australian Press Club. Picture: David Mariuz

“I’ve had plenty of practice (at not being good),” Bernardi says. “But this is an interesting thing, I’m hugely competitive, it doesn’t matter what it is. So if I’m running and there’s a jogger ahead of me. I’ve got to overtake the jogger.

“I’m getting that out of me, pilates is wonderful for that. You are not competing with anyone. You can be hopeless or excellent and no one cares. They only focus on themselves and that is really enjoyable.”

It’s a similar experience with kiteboarding. Bernardi’s been able to indulge himself with all manner of hobbies to fill the void. Taking to the water earlier this year, his instructor’s only just allowed him to say he’s a kiteboarder.

“Going out (kiteboarding) with the boys, I say that I am the ugly friend, they all want to go out with me because it makes them look better,” he jokes. “I’m the kiteboarding ugly friend so I want to introduce someone who is worse than me, so I feel better about myself.”

Bernardi’s also taken up Krav Maga which was developed by the Israeli military – a quick Google shows it’s one of the deadliest self-defence programs in the world. It’s “an effective and practical street-based, self-defence system that is based on real-life scenarios, designed to prepare you for unexpected situations”.

Not that there’s likely to be many of those in idyllic Coffin Bay, some 47km outside of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. Bernardi and wife Sinead have a holiday home there, and try to equally divide their time between their Adelaide apartment and the coastal town.

He’s even hosted his new Sky News eponymously titled Friday night show from there. Bernardi’s enjoying his foray into media. He says people are more open and less combative with him – even just on the streets. While Sinead had pictured him as a TV host, Bernardi hadn’t really any aspirations (although he does confess he’d love to do radio).

“When I had the conversation with Sky, I said if I’m going to do this I will pursue it as much as I can – I’m not a half-hearted bloke,” he says.

He went to Sky colleagues such as Paul Murray and Alan Jones for the tips and tricks. And is loving life on the other side of the mic.

Speaking of mics – another new discovery is an appreciation for country music. It was in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. Bernardi might have had too many tequilas (it’s one of his vices) and he stumbled across Foxtel’s Country Music Channel and an Australian star Brad Butcher singing I Walk the Line revisited. He then went down the rabbit hole as Spotify suggested new artists and songs.

He’s always had eclectic musical tastes – from pop and George Ezra to Sinatra and Elvis. Bernardi can, and does do, “albums’ worth of karaoke” to Sinatra.

A well-kept secret, you’d think? Apparently not, if you’re dining at the Bernardis’ place you can expect to be singing at some point in the night.

But one of Sinatra’s most famous lyrics … “regrets, I’ve had a few” doesn’t resonate.

“There’s not one regret I had in politics even with all the ups and downs,” Bernardi shares. They go to make you who you are and shaping your personality. Fourteen years was enough and I always said I’d get out when I’m 50.”

Since resigning his Senate seat in January last year, Bernardi’s been asked constantly if he’ll be back. But he’s resolute – there’s absolutely no chance.

“I loved my time there, and it was the most extraordinary experience – I am forever grateful for it but it’s done. There was nothing left I felt I wanted to give. I’m in a very happy place.

“I’ve had colleagues who have left and realise that their lives are not full, politics can be all consuming.”

Sinead and Cory Bernardi with golden retriever Remy. Picture: Matt Turner

Sons Harvey and Oscar are in their final years of university in Queensland. So it’s just Bernardi, Sinead and their golden retriever Remy – a new pup Ted is on the way which is going to be Bernardi’s dog “the other one likes Sinead more than me” – and they are enjoying their extra time together.

“It’s just a lovely time – we get to balance what we want to do professionally, individually and together,” he shares, laughing when we ask if Sinead was worried about him being at home more. “That can be a problem – it’s called re-entry. But we are very fortunate. There’s no question that Sinead is my best friend and we have worked together our entire life right through the pubs and politics.

“We have separate interests, but we do a lot of things together. There hasn’t been a situation where we have spent more time together than the last 15 months and we’re still talking.”

With all his new hobbies, his new career developing in media, writing his blog, visiting their oyster lease, or just losing hours in the “time sink” that is life in Coffin Bay, life’s pretty good for Bernardi.

“No one should feel sorry for me – everything seems to have fallen into place,” Bernardi muses. “And I just want to keep learning new things.”