After two days of intense speculation, Cory Bernardi finally broke his silence.
"Mr President, I rise to inform the Senate that this morning I resigned as a member of the Liberal Party."
Mr Bernardi is an outspoken conservative, who infamously once suggested that same-sex marriage might lead to the legalisation of bestiality.
He's also been an outspoken supporter of US President Donald Trump.
Now he's urging likeminded people to join his new political movement - the Australian Conservatives.
"Every journey begins with a first step. Today, Mr President, I take that first step, knowing the direction in which I will be heading. And I hope that those who are truly concerned for the future of our nation will choose to join me."
Senator Bernardi was elected on a Liberal Party ticket just seven months ago, benefiting from the flow of Liberal preferences.
Attorney General George Brandis says the voters who elected him expected six years of Liberal representation.
"The Liberal Party, the Coalition, the government, are disappointed by the course that Senator Bernardi has taken this morning. We believe that he has done the wrong thing. Because only seven months ago, Senator Bernardi was elected by the people of South Australia to serve in the Senate as a Liberal senator."
There has been criticism from the other side of the chamber, too.
Labor frontbencher, Penny Wong, says the defection proves Malcolm Turnbull has lost control of his government.
"What Senator Bernardi's statement is emblematic of is a government that is bitterly divided. A government that is coming apart at the seams. A government so riven with internal division, it is more focused on its own issues than on the matters that matter most to Australians."
Mr Bernardi says he's now looking to the future, with plans to run Senate candidates at the next federal election expected in 2019.
"How will I fund that? Well, at my last election return I had over 700 donations from individuals supporting me and my principles. I'm hoping to grow that, clearly, and use that in the most appropriate way."
Mr Bernardi has played down speculation mining magnate Gina Rinehart might help fund his party.
He says no such conversation has taken place
Share
