Culleton loses bid to keep senator status

Rod Culleton's bid to retain the status of a Senator pending several court decisions has been dismissed by the High Court.

Culleton

Rod Culleton arrives at The Federal Court in Perth on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. Source: AAP

Rod Culleton's bid to retain the privileges and allowances of a senator has been dismissed by the High Court.

Mr Culleton made an interim application on Tuesday to preserve his status as a senator while the High Court determines whether he was eligible to be elected in the first place, or unless the Senate orders he be ejected.

Justice Stephen Gageler dismissed his application on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Culleton's lawyer, Peter King, argued Attorney-General George Brandis and Senate President Stephen Parry had "overreached" by ejecting him as a senator after the Federal Court declared him bankrupt in December.
He took issue with the government referring to Mr Culleton in submissions as 'mister' instead of 'senator'.

Mr Culleton is awaiting a High Court decision on whether he was eligible to run for parliament in 2016 due to an existing larceny conviction.

In the meantime, he's been stripped of his West Australian Senate seat after the Federal Court declared him bankrupt on December 23.

Mr Culleton argues his removal as a senator has been premature, because he is challenging the bankruptcy.

Neil Williams SC, representing the attorney-general, argued the interim application should be dismissed.

Mr Culleton said Senators Brandis and Parry had jumped the gun.

"No one is above the law," he told AAP outside court before the hearing.
"He's not my superior - just because he's nominated to sit as the president in the Senate doesn't give him powers above the law.

"Who are they to disadvantage the people of Western Australia?"

After the court hearing, he intends going to his Parliament House office.

The nameplate outside Mr Culleton's parliamentary office has already been removed.

The finance department has also issued him a notice to move out of his Perth office and hand back equipment such as phones and computers.

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2 min read
Published 31 January 2017 4:14pm
Updated 31 January 2017 5:59pm
Source: AAP


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