Cory Bernardi repays $40,000 for flights during election campaign

Cory Bernardi, a former Liberal senator and current One Nation South Australian MLC, has repaid over $40,000 to Gina Rinehart’s company S Kidman & Co for private flights taken during the recent state election campaign. Bernardi confirmed the reimbursement on Saturday, stating that the flights were necessary for reaching remote communities and that they were 'worth every cent.' He emphasized his commitment to ensuring that these communities could engage with state and federal leaders of One Nation.

The reimbursement comes in light of new South Australian laws prohibiting political parties and candidates from receiving electoral donations or gifts from individuals, businesses, or unions. Bernardi received an invoice for the flights 'some weeks ago' and acted to comply with the law. Pauline Hanson, One Nation’s federal leader, accompanied Bernardi on the flights and has faced scrutiny regarding her own financial disclosures related to Rinehart’s contributions. While she claimed to be merely a passenger, the implications of these flights and their classification under state versus federal law remain complex.

This situation exposes the delicate balance of political financing in South Australia, particularly with the recent ban on corporate donations, which is unprecedented and carries severe penalties. Bernardi's repayment may mitigate immediate legal risks, but it raises questions about the influence of wealthy donors like Rinehart on political campaigns. The One Nation party, while asserting independence from Rinehart’s financial support, faces scrutiny over its reliance on her resources, especially as the party navigates the new regulatory landscape.

What to watch: The upcoming decisions by the South Australian Electoral Commission regarding the interpretation of the donation laws could further impact political funding practices in the state.