Cory Bernardi has spent nearly two decades in the public eye, shifting from a Liberal senator to the leader of One Nation South Australia, and his political revival is drawing fresh scrutiny as he defends past remarks linking same-sex marriage to bestiality. This article traces his biography, career, and the controversies that continue to follow him.
Born: 6 November 1969 ·
Political Party: One Nation (formerly Liberal) ·
Senate Term: 2007–2020 ·
Current Role: Leader of One Nation South Australia ·
Resigned from Senate: 20 January 2020
Quick snapshot
- Born 6 November 1969 (Parliament of Australia (official government site))
- Wife and children not publicly confirmed (InDaily (South Australian news outlet))
- Height not documented (Parliament of Australia (official government site))
- Senator for South Australia 2007–2020 (Parliament of Australia) (BBC News (international news outlet))
- Member of Liberal Party until 2017 (BBC News (international news outlet))
- Joined One Nation and became SA leader in 2025 (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster))
- Bestiality remarks linking gay marriage (BBC News) (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster))
- Stood by comments in 2026 (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster))
- Strong conservative values (BBC News) (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster))
- Leader of One Nation South Australia (One Nation South Australia (party website))
- Candidate in 2026 SA election (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster)) (One Nation South Australia (party website))
Six key facts, one pattern: Bernardi’s journey from the Liberal Party to One Nation is marked by ideological consistency and recurring controversy.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cory Bernardi |
| Born | 6 November 1969 (Parliament of Australia) |
| Political party | One Nation (formerly Liberal) (BBC News) |
| Senate tenure | 2007–2020 (Parliament of Australia) |
| Resignation date | 20 January 2020 (ABC News) |
| Current role | Leader of One Nation South Australia (One Nation South Australia) |
What is the latest news about Cory Bernardi?
Bestiality claim ahead of SA election
- In March 2026, Bernardi stood by his earlier comments linking same-sex marriage to bestiality, as reported by ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster).
- He is One Nation’s lead candidate in the 2026 South Australian state election (ABC News).
Reaction from political opponents
- Opponents have criticised the remarks, with some calling them offensive and divisive (ABC News).
- Bernardi’s campaign has framed him as a defender of conservative values (One Nation South Australia).
Bernardi’s willingness to defend a decade-old remark shows that, for him, controversy is not a liability but a tool to rally his base. For One Nation, a party built on provocative stances, his return is a calculated bet.
The implication: Bernardi’s 2026 comeback is strategically timed to capitalise on the same cultural wedge issues that first boosted his profile.
Who is Cory Bernardi?
Personal background
- Born on 6 November 1969 in Adelaide, South Australia (Parliament of Australia).
- Before politics, he worked as a stockbroker and financial adviser (BBC News).
- He also took over the family pub and spent a year isolated with tuberculosis, a period that pushed him toward politics (SBS News (Australian multicultural broadcaster)).
Family: wife and children
- Bernardi is married, but his wife’s name and the number of children are not publicly confirmed (InDaily (South Australian news outlet)).
- He and his wife own Oyster HQ in Coffin Bay, according to InDaily (South Australian news outlet).
Physical attributes
- Bernardi’s height is not publicly documented in any reliable source.
The pattern: Bernardi’s personal life remains largely private, a contrast to his outspoken public persona. The lack of verified details on his family and physical attributes reflects a deliberate boundary between his public and private worlds.
What is Cory Bernardi’s political career?
Senate tenure
- First elected to the Australian Senate for South Australia in 2006, taking his seat in 2007 (BBC News).
- Re-elected in 2013 and 2016 (Parliament of Australia).
- He was the youngest ever Liberal Party state president at age 29 (BBC News).
Party affiliation changes
- Bernardi left the Liberal Party in 2017 to launch the Australian Conservatives (BBC News).
- The Australian Conservatives later disbanded after failing to gain significant electoral traction (ABC News).
- In February 2026, Pauline Hanson announced Bernardi would lead One Nation’s South Australian Legislative Council campaign (ABC News).
Resignation
- Resigned from the Senate on 20 January 2020, after serving 13 years (ABC News).
- He had a political commentary show on Sky News until 2023 (InDaily (South Australian news outlet)).
The catch: Bernardi’s shift from Liberal insider to One Nation leader may seem like a political U-turn, but his core social conservatism has remained unchanged. The parties changed; the message didn’t.
What are Cory Bernardi’s controversial remarks?
Bestiality comment
- In 2012, Bernardi resigned as a shadow parliamentary secretary after linking same-sex marriage to bestiality (BBC News).
- In 2026, he publicly stood by those remarks, saying he would not back down (ABC News).
Same-sex marriage stance
- Bernardi has been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, arguing it would lead to a breakdown of traditional values (BBC News).
- His views extend to opposition to abortion and climate action, reflecting a hardline social conservative agenda (BBC News).
Bernardi’s 2026 defence of the bestiality comment is not a slip—it’s a deliberate anchor for his campaign. If he wins a seat, expect similar provocations to dominate the legislative agenda.
Why this matters: The controversy isn’t just about one remark—it’s a signal of the tone Bernardi will bring to state politics, one that could reshape the debate in South Australia.
What is Cory Bernardi’s role in One Nation?
Leadership of One Nation South Australia
- Bernardi is the leader of One Nation South Australia, appointed in 2025 (ABC News).
- The party’s website promotes him as a former federal senator with a track record of conservative advocacy (One Nation South Australia).
2026 SA election campaign
- He is the lead candidate for the Legislative Council in the 2026 South Australian election (ABC News).
- His campaign focuses on “protecting conservative values” and opposing “woke” policies (One Nation South Australia).
The trade-off: One Nation gains a seasoned campaigner and media-savvy figure, but Bernardi’s baggage may alienate moderate voters. The party is betting his base is worth the risk.
Timeline: Cory Bernardi’s political journey
- – Elected to the Australian Senate for South Australia (Parliament of Australia)
- – Re-elected to the Senate (BBC News)
- – Re-elected to the Senate (Parliament of Australia)
- – Resigned from the Liberal Party, launched Australian Conservatives (BBC News)
- – Resigned from the Senate (ABC News)
- – Became leader of One Nation South Australia (ABC News)
- – Stood by bestiality claim in ABC News article (ABC News)
The pattern: Bernardi’s career shows a steady march towards more explicitly conservative positions, adapting his party affiliation without altering his core message.
Clarity check: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 6 November 1969 (Parliament of Australia)
- Senate resignation: 20 January 2020 (ABC News)
- Party affiliation: Liberal then One Nation (BBC News)
- Bestiality claim statement in 2026 (ABC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact height of Cory Bernardi
- Number of children (InDaily)
- Wife’s name (InDaily)
- Educational background
The upshot: Most biographical data is solid, but gaps in personal details leave room for speculation. The few unclear points do not affect the core narrative of his political career.
Key quotes
I stand by my comments. I’m not going to back down from what I said.
Cory Bernardi, as reported by ABC News
Bernardi’s comments are offensive and have no place in modern Australian politics.
South Australian political opponent, as cited by ABC News
For South Australian voters, the choice is clear: back a candidate who wears his controversies as a badge of honour, or reject a style of politics that thrives on division. The 2026 election result will show whether Bernardi’s brand of conservatism still has legs in the country’s most conservative state.
en.wikipedia.org, ha.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, connorcourtpublishing.com.au
For a deeper look at his early career and the speech that sparked lasting debate, see Cory Bernardis biography and controversies.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cory Bernardi’s net worth?
Bernardi’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. Before politics he worked as a stockbroker and financial adviser, and he co-owns Oyster HQ in Coffin Bay (InDaily (South Australian news outlet)).
How old is Cory Bernardi?
Born 6 November 1969, he is 56 years old as of 2026 (Parliament of Australia).
Why did Cory Bernardi leave the Liberal Party?
He left the Liberal Party in 2017, citing frustration with the party’s drift from conservative principles, and launched the Australian Conservatives (BBC News).
What is Cory Bernardi’s stance on immigration?
Bernardi advocates for a reduction in immigration levels and stronger border security, consistent with One Nation’s platform (One Nation South Australia (party website)).
What are Cory Bernardi’s views on climate change?
He has expressed scepticism about climate change and opposes carbon pricing, labelling it economic vandalism (BBC News).
Is Cory Bernardi still a member of One Nation?
Yes, as of March 2026 he is the leader of One Nation South Australia and the party’s lead candidate for the upcoming state election (ABC News (Australia’s national broadcaster)).
What is the structure of One Nation South Australia?
The party operates under the national One Nation brand but has its own state leadership. Bernardi is the state leader, and the party runs candidates for the Legislative Council (One Nation South Australia).
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Current, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.