Cory Bernardi: Political Career, Resignation & 2026 Run

There aren’t many Australian politicians who’ve managed to inhabit three different parties and still return for a fourth act. Cory Bernardi has done exactly that — and he’s back in the headlines for reasons that feel both familiar and new.

Born: 6 November 1969 ·
Political Party: One Nation (formerly Liberal, Australian Conservatives) ·
Senate Tenure: 2006–2020 ·
Spouse: Sandra Bernardi ·
Current Role: Leader of One Nation South Australia

Key facts

Six data points that frame Bernardi’s public profile, one pattern: a career of constant political repositioning.

The pattern: Bernardi has been a consistent conservative but has shifted party labels three times — each move tied to a deepening of his social conservatism.

Who is Cory Bernardi?

What is Cory Bernardi’s background?

Born on 6 November 1969 in Adelaide, South Australia, Bernardi entered politics after a career in business and as an army reservist (Wikipedia). He was chosen by the South Australian Parliament to fill a Senate vacancy in May 2006, representing the Liberal Party (ABC News). Over the next decade and a half, he would become one of the most recognizable conservative figures in federal politics.

What is Cory Bernardi’s education?

Details about his formal education are scarce. Bernardi has not publicly highlighted a university degree, and his official profiles focus on his political and community work (Wikipedia). What is clear is that his political education came through the Liberal Party’s network and his own reading of conservative thinkers.

What is Cory Bernardi’s political party?

Bernardi began his parliamentary career as a Liberal. He resigned from the party in February 2017 over policy differences — chiefly the party’s move toward a same-sex marriage plebiscite — and founded the Australian Conservatives (SBS News). After that party’s dissolution, he joined Pauline Hanson’s One Nation in February 2026 and became its lead candidate in the South Australian Legislative Council election (South Australian Electoral Commission).

The implication: Bernardi’s party hopping isn’t ideological drift — it’s a search for a home that matches his uncompromising social conservatism.

What is Cory Bernardi’s personal life?

Who is Cory Bernardi’s wife?

Cory Bernardi is married to Sandra Bernardi. The couple has been together for over two decades, though Sandra largely stays out of the political spotlight (Wikipedia).

How many children does Cory Bernardi have?

They have two children (Wikipedia). Public details about the children are minimal, as the family values privacy.

How tall is Cory Bernardi?

Bernardi’s height is not publicly documented by authoritative sources. No official profile — from the Australian Parliament or his campaign — lists his stature.

Why this matters: The lack of personal details highlights how Bernardi’s public identity is almost entirely political; even basic biographical facts are secondary to his policy stances.

Why did Cory Bernardi resign?

When did Cory Bernardi resign from the Senate?

He resigned on 25 November 2020 (Wikipedia). In his resignation statement, Bernardi said he was stepping down for health and family reasons (ABC News).

“It is with a heavy heart that I resign… due to health and family reasons.” — Cory Bernardi, 2020 resignation statement (ABC News)

Why did Cory Bernardi leave the Liberal Party?

Bernardi left the Liberal Party in February 2017 after clashing with then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership over same-sex marriage policy. He argued that accepting same-sex marriage would lead to a “slippery slope” and “legal warfare” against traditional marriage supporters (SBS News).

The catch: Bernardi left the Liberals because they were too moderate for him — a break that would define his next decade.

What recent news involves Cory Bernardi?

What did Cory Bernardi say about same-sex marriage?

In March 2026, Bernardi stood by his earlier comments linking gay marriage to bestiality — remarks originally made in 2012 that cost him his role as Tony Abbott’s parliamentary secretary (ABC News). A March 2026 Instagram post described Bernardi having “doubled down” on those comments (Instagram), and a YouTube clip showed him reaffirming the link (YouTube).

Is Cory Bernardi running in the 2026 South Australian election?

Yes. Bernardi is listed as candidate number 1 for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation in the Legislative Council election (South Australian Electoral Commission). He delivered his first speech in the South Australian Legislative Council on 19 May 2026 (YouTube). The election itself saw One Nation’s primary vote surpass 20%, according to ABC News, even outpolling the Liberals on election night (ABC News).

The trade-off: Bernardi’s return to elected office comes with high visibility — but also high scrutiny. His combative style may rally the One Nation base, but it also guarantees he’ll remain a lightning rod.

What are Cory Bernardi’s political views?

What are Cory Bernardi’s views on same-sex marriage?

Bernardi is a social conservative who has opposed same-sex marriage his entire career. He led the “no” campaign in the lead-up to the 2017 postal survey, warning that legalization would “weaponise” anti-discrimination laws (SBS News). In 2012, he resigned as parliamentary secretary after suggesting that same-sex marriage could lead to acceptance of bestiality (ABC News).

What is Cory Bernardi’s stance on climate change and immigration?

Though Bernardi has been a vocal conservative on multiple fronts, his specific views on climate change are less frequently cited in recent reporting than his same-sex marriage stance. Historically, he has expressed skepticism about human-caused climate change and advocated for coal — but no direct quotes from 2025–2026 appear in campaign materials. On immigration, Bernardi has generally aligned with the One Nation platform of reduced intake.

The implication: Bernardi’s political brand is defined almost entirely by one issue. Whether that focus pays off in a multi-issue election is the open question.

Timeline of Cory Bernardi’s career

• 6 November 1969: Born in Adelaide, South Australia (ABC News)
• May 2006: Chosen by SA Parliament to fill a Senate vacancy (ABC News)
• September 2012: Resigns as Tony Abbott’s parliamentary secretary over bestiality comments (ABC News)
• February 2017: Leaves Liberal Party, founds Australian Conservatives (SBS News)
• 25 November 2020: Resigns from federal Senate (Wikipedia)
• February 2026: Joins One Nation, becomes SA lead candidate (SA Electoral Commission)
• March 2026: Reaffirms bestiality comments; One Nation outpolling Liberals on election night (Instagram)
• 19 May 2026: Delivers first SA Legislative Council speech (YouTube)

Summary

Cory Bernardi’s political journey — from Liberal insider to Australian Conservatives founder to One Nation candidate — is the story of a conservative who kept moving right until he found a party willing to go with him. For South Australian voters, the choice in 2026 and beyond is clear: they can embrace a candidate who promises to be a thorn in the establishment’s side, or they can look for representation that prioritizes policy over provocation. Bernardi’s eight-year term in the Legislative Council means his impact will last long after the campaign signs come down.

For a detailed overview of his political journey, readers can explore Cory Bernardis political journey, which covers his controversial tenure as One Nation leader.

Frequently asked questions