Australian political party to "welcome" any government MPs after merge

An Australian Senator who deserted the government to create his own political party has said he would welcome other "defectors" to his ranks, after a minor party agreed to merge with his newly-formed Australian Conservatives overnight.

Senator Cory Bernardi left the government's ranks in February to form his own party, the Australian Conservatives, which was created to represent far-right conservatives.

On Tuesday, it was announced that the Family First Party would merge with the Australian Conservatives, while on Wednesday, Bernardi said he would openly welcome other members of Parliament to his party.

"We are united by our founding principles of supporting stronger families, fostering free enterprise, limiting the size and scope and reach of government, but also about rebuilding civil society," Bernardi said.

"The joining of our prospective political forces is a natural fit and its one that will strengthen the conservative movement right across this country."

He said that talks to merge with Family First began in February, when Family First MPs Dennis Hood and Robert Brokenshire called to congratulate Bernardi on the move.

"We entered into some very brief and preliminary discussions but as we were building momentum and my group was building momentum and Rob was interested as well. Things came to a head in the last couple of weeks. On Saturday everything was ratified through Family First," he said.

Speaking on Wednesday, Hood said it was a "great day" for conservatives across Australia, who he said had been misrepresented in Parliament in recent times.

"Those on the conservative side of politics will have a united conservative voice in which to support and park their vote," Hood said. Endit