Bernardi’s shift right means nothing but headaches for Malcolm Turnbull
CORY Bernardi’s split from the Liberal party will cause headaches for the prime minister — but there’s even more to worry about.
ANALYSIS
CORY Bernardi’s resignation from the Liberal Party is a warning for Malcolm Turnbull.
People are unhappy with the current state of politics and Senator Bernardi hopes to be a beacon for change.
The conservative way of life is growing traction, according to Senator Bernardi.
He’s riding the Trump wave, which showcased the discontent among every day voters and the feeling that traditional politicians are not listening.
Aside from the obvious issues with the government losing yet another number on the floor of the Senate and having to negotiate bills with another wildcard, the South Australian’s defection will cause more than one headache for the Prime Minister.
Mr Turnbull can now only guarantee 29 votes in the Upper House for the Coalition to Labor’s 26.
He needs 39 votes to pass legislation, leaving them to negotiate with the crossbench which will now include Senator Bernardi.
“I will absolutely guarantee supply,” Senator Bernardi said today.
However the 47-year-old, who started his career with the Liberal party, today indicated he believed his former political home had lost its way.
“I think there is a yearning for the stability and sense of predictability that was around during the Coalition government up until 2006,” Senator Bernardi said.
The South Australian is known for his uber-conservative beliefs.
He’s is concerned about Sharia Law taking hold in Australia and is anti gay marriage.
But he today vowed to be a reasonable voice in parliament for the Australian people.
“I am prepared to work in alliance in a professional manner with anyone who is prepared to share my position,” Senator Bernardi said.
“I don’t think anyone out there in the community thinks Australia is really where it needs to be right now.”
Senator Bernardi is likely to bring some of his uber conservative views to the floor of the Senate.
Not least of which will be his staunch opposition to gay marriage.
In 2012 he resigned from Tony Abbott’s frontbench after linking gay marriage to bestiality.
Senator Bernardi today said differences in opinion needed to be respected.
“We have a case where the political class is held in very low regard because of what they say, what they failed to do and what they do do,” he said.
“We don’t need that to be compounded in elements of the media. Just because someone has different views doesn’t mean they are extreme or far right or far left.”
But perhaps one of the biggest headaches of all for Mr Turnbull from today’s resignation will be the fact that he will face yet another split of votes at the next election.
The Coalition only barely got over the line at last year’s poll and with Senator Bernardi vowing to run candidates at the next Federal Election it dilutes the vote even further.
“What we will be doing is seeking at the next election to run viable candidates,” Senator Bernardi said.
“I’m aiming to offer a safety valve, a credible principal alternative for those people who don’t wish to vote for major parties.”
Originally published as Bernardi’s shift right means nothing but headaches for Malcolm Turnbull
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