Independent MPs say One Nation SA leader Cory Bernardi has been approaching them to make the case for his party — instead of the Liberals — to be recognised as the state’s official opposition.
Independents Geoff Brock, Matt Schultz and Lou Nicholson said they were contacted by Mr Bernardi ahead of the first sitting of the new parliament early next month.
While discussions with all three touched on One Nation’s future plans, the MPs said they were not directly asked to support the party in its bid to form opposition.
One Nation received the second-highest primary vote at the March state election, but finished with four seats — one fewer than the Liberal Party’s five.
According to the South Australian parliament, the opposition is “the largest minority group or coalition of members in the House of Assembly who are not supporters of the government”.
Cory Bernardi is the One Nation SA leader and an upper house MP. (ABC News: Stephen Opie)
Stuart MP Mr Brock, who was pictured having coffee with Mr Bernardi in the CBD last week, told 891 ABC Adelaide this morning that Mr Bernardi had requested the meeting.
“It was about having a cup of coffee, understanding where Cory’s coming from,” Mr Brock said.
“I wasn’t asked to support them, I wasn’t asked to actually join One Nation or anything like that.
“I don’t intend to join any political party.”
He said he had also been speaking with Liberal Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn and other independents.
“I’m here to talk to both sides of politics and all sides of politics,” he said.
“We’ve got a big challenge on the non-government side going forward. Labor has got a massive margin there.”
Geoff Brock stepped down from the cabinet in April 2024. (ABC News: Rory McClaren)
Mr Brock sided with Labor to form a minority government in the 2014 state election, and later held cabinet positions as an independent under the Weatherill and Malinauskas ministries.
In April 2024, he resigned from his ministerial roles for health reasons.
Kavel MP Mr Schultz also confirmed to 891 ABC Adelaide that he was approached by Mr Bernardi outlining a plan to attempt to form opposition — but said he intended to remain independent.
“I’m a new independent member and won’t be a member of the opposition,” Mr Schultz told ABC News later on Monday.
“The question as to who will serve as the opposition is best put to One Nation and the Liberal Party.”
Ms Nicholson, the newly elected Finniss MP, said her focus was elsewhere.
“Mr Bernardi did call me last week and explain he considered there was a case for One Nation to be recognised as the formal opposition,” she said.
“I have no position on the matter and am spending my time focused on serving my community as an independent.”
In the days after the election, Ashton Hurn has asserted the SA Liberals’ role as the formal opposition. (ABC News: Tricia Watkinson)
Ms Hurn has previously rejected suggestions One Nation could lay claim to opposition status.
“The rules are the rules, and we are the formal opposition,” she said.
“South Australians have actually spoken, they’ve delivered us the second-most seats in the lower house and I’m excited about the task ahead.”
When asked what would happen if One Nation were to form opposition, Premier Peter Malinauskas said it was “not up to me and nor should it be”.
“I’ve been working under the assumption that Ashton Hurn is leader of the opposition,” he said.
“While I appreciate One Nation’s argument that they got more votes than the Liberal Party, which of course is true by a fair way, it’s also true that the Liberal Party as it stands right now have more seats in the parliament than One Nation.
“If One Nation is able to expand their scope, obviously that would invite reconsideration of things.”
Mr Bernardi and the SA Parliament’s fourth independent, Mount Gambier MP Travis Fatchen, have been contacted by ABC News for comment.