Following the recent state election, Cory Bernardi, the leader of One Nation SA, has reached out to independent members of parliament, including Geoff Brock, Matt Schultz, and Lou Nicholson, to discuss the possibility of recognizing his party as the official opposition in South Australia.
Despite One Nation securing a larger share of primary votes than the South Australian Liberals during the March election, they ultimately ended up with four seats, one less than the five held by the Liberals. Bernardi has been approached for comment, while Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn has previously asserted that her party continues to hold the formal opposition status.
Independent MPs have confirmed that Bernardi has initiated conversations aimed at promoting One Nation’s agenda and positioning it as the rightful opposition party. These discussions occurred prior to the new parliament’s first session, scheduled for early next month. Although the talks included One Nation’s future strategies, the independent MPs stated they were not directly solicited to support the party’s claim for opposition status.
Geoff Brock, who represents Stuart and was seen meeting with Bernardi in the city last week, remarked on 891 ABC Adelaide that the meeting was primarily a casual discussion about Bernardi’s views. “I wasn’t asked to support them or to join One Nation,” Brock clarified, emphasizing his intention to remain independent. He has been in communication with both the Liberal Opposition Leader Hurn and other independents, expressing his commitment to engage with all political factions. “Labor has a significant advantage, and we face considerable challenges on the non-government side,” he noted.
Matt Schultz, representing Kavel, also confirmed that Bernardi had shared plans for establishing a formal opposition but reiterated his decision to maintain his independence. “I’m a new independent member and have no intention of joining the opposition,” Schultz stated to ABC News. He suggested that the determination of the opposition’s status should be directed to One Nation and the Liberal Party.
Newly-elected Finniss MP Lou Nicholson mentioned that while Bernardi had contacted her to discuss his party’s claim for opposition status, her priority remains focused on serving her community as an independent. “I have no stance on the issue,” she remarked.
Ashton Hurn has dismissed any claims by One Nation to opposition status, stating, “We are the formal opposition, based on the rules.” She expressed pride in the support the Liberals received from South Australians during the election.
When asked about the implications of One Nation potentially becoming the opposition, Premier Peter Malinauskas noted that the matter is not his to decide. He affirmed his belief that Ashton Hurn is the opposition leader, recognizing that while One Nation may have received more votes than the Liberals, the latter holds more seats in the parliament. Malinauskas indicated that should One Nation increase its representation, it might prompt a reevaluation of their position.
ABC News has also reached out to Cory Bernardi and Travis Fatchen, the fourth independent member of the South Australian parliament, for further comments.
