The resignation of Family First's Bob Day from the Senate could have been handled better, the party's South Australian Chairman Dennis Hood says.
But Mr Hood has sidestepped criticising the former senator directly as he revealed up to eight candidates will bid to replace him in parliament.
"I don't think this is a time for recriminations. I'm certainly not going to be be throwing names about and accusing people of hiding," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"I think it's been very difficult and I think it hasn't been handled well.
"As a political party we'd like to draw a line under this situation and move on."
But Mr Hood said he had no doubt the candidate chosen to go into the Senate would represent the party well.
"I'm hoping that they have an opportunity to really explain the benefits of the policies of our party to the public of Australia and that we can see our party continue to grow," he said.
"The important thing here is that Family First existed long before Bob Day and it will exist long after Bob Day."
Senator Day announced his resignation on Tuesday after the loss of a major investor to save his failed Home Australia building group.
Among those who have already revealed their hands in seeking the casual vacancy are his former chief of staff Rikki Lambert, Family First SA MP Rob Brokenshire and former Senate candidate Lucy Gichuhi.
Mr Hood said the other candidates to put in applications did not want their names released.
Under the party's constitution anyone who is a financial member of the party is eligible to stand.
