Senator lobbied for NSW powerbroker in factional feud
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 26, 2010
THE outspoken South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi has angered some of his colleagues by playing an active role in saving the preselection of the NSW powerbroker David Clarke.Despite bold predictions before last Friday's ballot that Mr Clarke, of the far right faction, would lose his upper house seat to David Elliott, the incumbent was returned by 50 votes to 36.The charge to oust Mr Clarke was led by his once factional ally and now arch foe, the federal MP, Alex Hawke.It emerged yesterday that Senator Bernardi was among those phoning preselectors, saying he was doing so on behalf of the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott and the state Opposition Leader, Barry O'Farrell, were also lobbying on behalf of Mr Clarke, fearing his defeat would spark a war that neither could afford as elections approached.Senator Bernardi, himself a conservative, phoned at least a dozen preselectors from his Adelaide office as late as the day of the ballot. One preselector who received a call said Senator Bernardi said he was phoning on behalf of Mr Abbott and cited party unity as a reason for supporting Mr Clarke.
© 2010 Sydney Morning Herald