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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/dec/23/former-one-nation-senator-rodey-culleton-declared-bankrupt
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Former One Nation senator Rod Culleton declared bankrupt | Former One Nation senator Rod Culleton declared bankrupt |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Senator Rodney Culleton has been declared bankrupt at a hearing in the federal court in Perth. | Senator Rodney Culleton has been declared bankrupt at a hearing in the federal court in Perth. |
Culleton, who was elected as part of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation before quitting the party this week, was found bankrupt following action taken by a creditor. | Culleton, who was elected as part of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation before quitting the party this week, was found bankrupt following action taken by a creditor. |
Under Section 44 of the Australian constitution, a person is not allowed to continue as a member of federal parliament if he or she is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent. | Under Section 44 of the Australian constitution, a person is not allowed to continue as a member of federal parliament if he or she is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent. |
“You’ve just executed me … before I bleed to death,” Culleton was heard to say to the judge after the decision. “You have just given my estate away.” | “You’ve just executed me … before I bleed to death,” Culleton was heard to say to the judge after the decision. “You have just given my estate away.” |
The WA district court had ordered Senator Culleton to pay former Wesfarmers director Dick Lester $205,536 in 2013, which has since increased to $280,000, over unpaid rent relating to a $13.2m property acquisition deal in 2009 that went sour. | The WA district court had ordered Senator Culleton to pay former Wesfarmers director Dick Lester $205,536 in 2013, which has since increased to $280,000, over unpaid rent relating to a $13.2m property acquisition deal in 2009 that went sour. |
Culleton was granted a 21-day stay on the bankruptcy order, in which time he can appeal to the full bench of the federal court. | Culleton was granted a 21-day stay on the bankruptcy order, in which time he can appeal to the full bench of the federal court. |
Senator Culleton’s Senate seat was already under a cloud because of a separate legal matter being heard in the high court over hiseligibility to contest the July 2 election following a larceny conviction, which was later annulled. | Senator Culleton’s Senate seat was already under a cloud because of a separate legal matter being heard in the high court over hiseligibility to contest the July 2 election following a larceny conviction, which was later annulled. |
Senator Culleton quit One Nation on Sunday and Senator Hanson said she was pleased to see him go describing him as a pain in her backside. | Senator Culleton quit One Nation on Sunday and Senator Hanson said she was pleased to see him go describing him as a pain in her backside. |
Hanson said it was time for Culleton to step down from the Senate. | Hanson said it was time for Culleton to step down from the Senate. |
I feel sorry for Rod Culleton & his family but this was the right ruling. I hope he now acts honourably & steps down with dignity #auspol | I feel sorry for Rod Culleton & his family but this was the right ruling. I hope he now acts honourably & steps down with dignity #auspol |
He insists he wants to remain in the Senate as an independent but One Nation is keen to retain his seat. | He insists he wants to remain in the Senate as an independent but One Nation is keen to retain his seat. |
If Culleton loses his appeal, and the bankruptcy order takes effect, Senate President Stephen Parry will have to wait until the outcome of a separate legal matter in the high court, before notifying the West Australian governor on how to fill the vacancy. | |
The high court matter is a legal challenge over Culleton’s eligibility to contest the July 2 election following a larceny conviction, which was later annulled. | |
If the high court rules his election is invalid then it would declare the position vacant and there could be a vote recount ordered which may result in him being replaced by his brother-in-law Peter Georgiou, who was number two on the One Nation senate ticket in WA. | |
If the court finds he was eligible to stand, then there would be a casual vacancy under section 15 of the constitution and One Nation would be able to nominate another person for the seat. | |
• Australian Associated Press contributed to this report |