Expert says Cory Bernardi’s defection from the Liberal party will cost him his career

THE senator’s bombshell decision to quit the Liberal Party was described as a betrayal by his colleagues. But this expert believes it is career suicide.

ANALYSIS

CORY Bernardi’s defection from the Liberal Party will likely cost him his career in politics, one political commentator says.

Australian National University professor John Wanna said Senator Bernardi’s former Liberal colleagues weren’t likely to listen to him after he left even given how crucial the crossbench was in the 45th Parliament.

Related: Bernardi’s defection has deeper ramifications than he might have thought.

“I think he’s throwing away any political career he has,” Prof Wanna told News Corp.

Professor John Wanna says Cory Bernardi may not have more power on the crossbench. Picture: News Corp

Prof Wanna said Senator Bernardi would not necessarily have more power on the crossbench to secure amendments if his former colleagues didn’t need to negotiate with him.

The majority of the crossbench would vote with either major party, depending on the issue.

And Pauline Hanson in particular was becoming “very pragmatic”, he said.

Prof Wanna said it would also be difficult for Senator Bernardi to be re-elected after six years with no party backing.

But while some senior Liberals have already taken aim at the South Australian senator for his “betrayal” today, others are warning their colleagues not to criticise Bernardi as they would need to work with him in the senate.

The Coalition has just 29 senators in the upper house, compared to Labor’s 26 members and the Green’s nine senators.

To pass their legislative agenda this year, the Turnbull Government will have to work with 10 crossbenchers initially and 12 once Rod Culleton and Bob Day’s seats are filled.

One Nation is likely to have four seats once Mr Culleton’s seat is recounted.

That seat cannot be filled until after the new West Australian government is formed in March and signs off on the replacement.

The South Australian senator was savaged by colleagues — and also on social media. Picture: Alan Porritt/AAP

There will also be Nick Xenophon’s voting bloc of three senators, Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm, Jacqui Lambie and now Cory Bernardi.

Hinch, Lambie, Leyonhjelm and Nick Xenophon’s team have voted with both major parties, depending on the issue, while One Nation mostly sided with the Coalition.

All of the crossbenchers flexed their muscle over the past six months to secure amendments on key legislation in the past six months.

The backpackers tax and the election triggering ABCC and registered organisations bills passed late last year after significant amendments agreed with the crossbench and even the Greens.

Senator Derryn Hinch told reporters in Canberra this morning Senator Bernardi’s defection from the Liberals wasn’t likely to sway votes in the upper house too much however.

Someone “to the right of Genghis Khan” was unlikely to vote with Labor and the Greens, he said.

Originally published as Expert says Cory Bernardi’s defection from the Liberal party will cost him his career