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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 #auspolI 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 his election is found invalid in the high court, he could be potentially replaced by his brother-in-law Peter Georgiou, who was number two on the One Nation senate ticket in WA. 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