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Liberal Party stalwart and former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett does not believe that his party is in a "panic" about One Nation and has predicted closer alignment with Pauline Hanson's party in Parliament.
Mr Kennett has also attacked conservative Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi who was reportedly thinking of splitting from the party, saying the outspoken senator was not worth the paper his name was written on.
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Growing speculation Cory Bernardi is looking at a 'Trump-inspired' defection from the Liberals in the new year amid calls for the conservative senator to quit the party. Courtesy Seven News.
"He has no record of note in politics; he has hidden under the umbrella of the Liberal Party for years and, if he was to walk down the main street of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, not one person would recognise him," Mr Kennett told ABC morning radio.
"This is an individual who, for some ego-driven reason, believes he has the answers to the world; he does not."
Mr Kennett dismissed claims that the Victorian branch was in a panic about One Nation, saying that Liberal governments would have to learn to work with One Nation to get policy outcomes.
"I am not fearful of Pauline Hanson, I respect the people that support her party," Mr Kennett said.
Former premier Jeff Kennett says the Victorian Liberal Party is not in a panic about One Nation. Photo: Angela Wylie
"Rather than argue that she or the Liberals are in any way in conflict, you might actually find in the not-too-distant future, there is a new alignment taking place that will deliver good government, good policy and security."
The alignment would not be a formal coalition, Mr Kennett said, rather a close working relationship to purse good policy and shared goals.