"We got our head around it quickly but it is much more difficult for those who are new to the political environment."

Senator Gichuhi is unlikely to keep her spot at the next election given Family First only just won the 12th and final Senate spot in South Australia during last year's double dissolution election.

However, with the next election to be a normal half-Senate election, Senator Bernardi will use his expanded power base and extra resources to try and win a second Senate spot in SA and expand his influence over the federal government.

Senator Bernardi was elected for a six-year term last year so is not up for re-election next year.

On Wednesday, he suggested that the Family First merger may not be the last coup for his fledgling movement.

"Whilst there is an amalgamation between Family First and Australian Conservatives, I hope it is not the last amalgamation. I welcome minor parties, I welcome former colleagues, existing colleagues who want to be part of a team that really genuinely wants to make politics different," he said.

More defections expected

One source familiar with the merger process said there was another defection to Australian Conservatives expected soon but it was not disgruntled Liberal-Nationals MP George Christensen.


Senator Bernardi deliberately took aim at One Nation leader Pauline Hanson as he sought to portray his party as a more durable and representative alternative for conservative voters.

"Our party is governed by principles, not personalities. That is why it wasn't named after an individual but it was named after a group of people, Australian Conservatives," he said.

"Let's be frank about this, there are lots of people around the country who think their brand is the best brand. Australian Conservatives is not about an individual, it is not about an ego, it is about a philosophy, about approaching something in a principled manner."

The merger has the full support of former Family First Senator Day, who resigned last year after his housing business collapsed. His election in 2016 was subsequently ruled invalid on Constitutional grounds relating to an arrangement with his electorate office.