Cory Bernardi Has Swallowed Up Family First, Making Him The Blob Of Australian Politics

Breakaway South Australian senator Cory Bernardi is going it alone no longer, with his recently established Australian Conservatives party set to absorb Family First.

News of the shock merger broke yesterday evening, and comes after weeks of secret discussions between the two parties.

According to The Australian, Family First state and federal executives voted unanimously to dissolve the party and join forces with Bernardi’s hip new conservative movement. Sources within Family First said the decision was largely driven by reputational damage done to the party’s brand, after the election of former federal senator Bob Day was ruled invalid by the High Court.

Under the new deal, Dennis Hood and Robert Brokenshire, who currently represent Family First in South Australia’s Legislative Council, will now represent the Australian Conservatives.

But Bernardi, a former Liberal whose greatest hits package includes linking gay marriage to bestiality, will remain the party’s sole representative in federal parliament, with Day’s soon-to-be sworn-in replacement, Lucy Gichuhi, expected to declare herself an independent. Sorry Cory, looks like you’ll be sitting by yourself a while longer.

Nevertheless, the arrangement will greatly increase the profile of the Australian Conservatives, with Bernardi gaining access to Family First’s campaign resources as well as its predominantly Christian membership base.

Bernardi is expected to confirm the details of the merger at a press conference in South Australia later today.

Press conference with @dennishood & @rbrokenshire 11am today, Balcony Room, SA Parliament House.@FamilyFirstAust @AuConservatives #auspol

— Cory Bernardi (@corybernardi) April 25, 2017