Cory Bernardi signs up former Family First staffer Rikki Lambert as ally

Cory Bernardi is believed to have hired former Family First staffer Rikki Lambert as his chief of staff.

Former Family First staffer Rikki Lambert.

Cory Bernardi is believed to have hired former Family First staffer Rikki Lambert as his chief of staff in a move that has raised the possibility of a new pact in the Senate.

Mr Lambert was chief of staff to Family First senator Bob Day, who was forced to resign last year for a breach of the Constitution over his office leasing arrangements.

Mr Lambert had previously declared that he would nominate as a candidate to replace Mr Day in the Senate.

The move has raised suspicions that Senator Bernardi has struck a deal with Family First to join forces in the Senate to create another two-vote block among the crossbenchers.