The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, has made a statement about the disqualification of former Senator Rodney Culleton.
Parry outlined the process that resulted in Culleton’s disqualification as a result of bankruptcy proceedings that placed him in breach of Section 44 of the Constitution.
He also noted the decision of the High Court that Culleton had also not been eligible to nominate for election because of his breach of another part of Section 44.
A countback of votes will determine who replaces Culleton in the Senate.
- Watch Parry’s statement (7m)
- Listen to Parry’s statement (7m)
- High Court Rules Culleton Ineligible To Nominate For Senate
- Culleton Disqualified From Senate Over Bankruptcy Ruling
Hansard transcript of statement by Senator Stephen Parry, President of the Senate.
The PRESIDENT (12:32): I wish to inform you that on the 7 November 2016 the Senate referred to the Court of Disputed Returns questions about the eligibility of Rodney Norman Culleton to sit as a senator. The court delivered its judgment in the matter on Friday, 3 February 2017. Today, I have tabled a copy of the order made by the Court and a copy of its reasons for judgment. To quote the judgment summary published by the Court: