After days of speculation the South Australian confirmed his defection from the party he'd been a member of his entire adult life to the Senate.
"This morning I resigned as a member of the Liberal Party," Senator Bernardi said. "This has been a very difficult decision for me. Perhaps the most difficult one of my political life. I stand here today, both reluctant and relieved."
The Senator already confirmed his defection from the party in a phone call with Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday morning, just before MPs headed off to a church service marking the beginning of the 2017 parliamentary season in Canberra.
The conservative South Australian senator did not attend a Coalition meeting this morning, nor a church service to mark the beginning of the 2017 parliamentary season in Canberra.
Outside Senate doors this morning, Senator Bernardi's Liberal colleagues were still calling for unity.
"Cory's a friend of mine, and I would certainly prefer that he was staying and fighting within the Coalition," Liberal Senator Zed Seselja told reporters.
Senator James Paterson said losing Mr Bernardi would be "sad and disappointing".
Former prime minister posted on Twitter that deeply regretted his colleague's decision to leave the party, and said he was "disappointed that more effort has not been made to keep our party united".
Outside Senate doors this morning, Senator Bernardi's Liberal colleagues were still calling for unity.
"Cory's a friend of mine, and I would certainly prefer that he was staying and fighting within the Coalition," Liberal Senator Zed Seselja told reporters.
Senator James Paterson said losing Mr Bernardi would be "sad and disappointing".
Former prime minister posted on Twitter that deeply regretted his colleague's decision to leave the party, and said he was "disappointed that more effort has not been made to keep our party united".
