Cory Bernardi quits "out of touch" Liberal Party

South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi says ongoing clashes with his Liberal colleagues over policy forced him to resign from the party. He's officially broken away to form his own conservative movement - drawing criticism from politicians on both sides of the political divide. Senior government figures have accused the senator for betraying the voters who elected him under the Liberal party banner, While Labor says the defection is evidence of growing disunity in the Coalition.

Former Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi during Question Time in Canberra Source: AAP