Bob Day bombshell sends Coalition into disarray

Alright, we're closing the blog after another entirely sane (*cough*) day in federal politics.

Scroll down for a summary from Stephanie Peatling.

Good night!

Here are chief political reporter James Massola's thoughts on that deeply memorable press conference.

Like many moments in 2016 politics, it had seasoned observers scratching their heads or just happily going along for the weird and wonderful ride.

It was faithfully reported by Stephanie Peatling below and a video is on the way for your viewing pleasure.

I'm going to hand over to my colleague Fergus Hunter but here's what has happened so far today:

• the government will ask the High Court to examine the eligibility of two senators;
• Attorney-General George Brandis has legal advice relating to One Nation's Rod Culleton as well as Bob Day;
• the Senate will vote on the matter on Monday but that's largely a formality;
• the case could take weeks or even months which leaves the government's legislative agenda up in the air;
• both men say they are clear for political duty.

I recommend watching a video of Senator Culleton's press conference if you can get your hands on one.

You can follow me on Facebook.

I'll leave you with Fergus.

"Until the answer comes back on my first question I don't know that I'm going up to the High Court," he continues in what could best be described as a stream of consciousness.

Senator Culleton moves on to something to do with the Family Court and "getting back to the Australian way".

And then it ends.

"If the Australian people ask me to resign, I'll do it," he says.

When asked why this has come up he says it's because "I'm a politician".

I can't actually follow this press conference at all.

There is also mention of tigers, scones, dressing up as a sheep and Harry Potter.

"There's a very dark cloud hanging over the High Court at the moment," Senator Culleton says.

"I'm not here to be cross examined by the media."

(It's a press conference.)

"It's not fact, it's just an opinion," he says of the government's legal advice.

"At all material times I was innocent."

(Senator Culleton pleaded guilty, just FYI.)

"I haven't been personally served any writ," he says.

"Because I've had to represent myself as layman through the courts I had a look at what was required to take me away from the poker table."

"I'm not sure I'll participate in any High Court jurisdiction," he adds (which, just to butt in, I don't think is an option).

Senator Culleton is speaking.

"Anyone has a right to challenge an elected senator," he says.

"I'm here to tell my true version of events."

He says he spoke with the Attorney-General at the weekend.

While we're waiting for Senator Culleton you might like to follow me on Facebook so we can chat whenever you like.

Senator Culleton will hold a press conference at 5 pm.

Stand by.....

The shadow attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus, is going to town on what's been going on.

"Just how long has he known about Senator Culleton's potential ineligibility?", Mr Dreyfus said in his latest statement.

"It's no coincidence that Mr Day and Senator Culleton's referrals to the High Court have been proposed by the government within two days of each other. Why has the government only come clean about this now? How long has it chosen to sit on the news that two senators have been able to vote in Parliament for months who may never have been validly elected?"

"This is an extraordinary turn of events which shows a government in absolute chaos."

You can find everything you need to know about the government's decision in relation to Senator Culleton in this piece by James Massola and Fergus Hunter.

Senator Culleton just arrived in Perth where he was greeted by an ABC television camera crew.

"Have you ever traded while insolvent?" he was asked.

"No. Have you?" was the tart reply.

He went on to say the court action was unsurprising: "It can be vented out in that arena....We're now really starting to witness what a $7.50 key is starting to cost."

It's a big call, I know, but that might be the best political statement of the year, if not ever.

"A single action over a $7.50 key could now lead to an entire nation being stopped," Senator Culleton went on.

Apparently the Attorney-General also told him he "supersedes (sic) any bush lawyer with his self taught skills".

"I have to remain honourable not only to myself, but to the Senate and to Parliament," he said.

Senator Culleton intends to defend himself in court.

"Boy am I sharp on the constitution (the real law of Australia) so this is right up my veggie patch," he said (I did not make that up).

The Australian Financial Review's Primrose Riordan has spoken to Senator Culleton.

He confirmed the conversation with the Attorney-General but will be seeking his own legal advice.

He was under the impression that it would "be confidential until it was revealed by the proper channels in Parliament on Monday".

Senator Culleton says he will "postpone any votes on bills in Parliament - in good will (sic) - while the matter is being investigated".

If Senator Culleton is ruled to have been ineligible at the time of the election, a recount would be triggered in Western Australia, probably seeing the party's number two Senate candidate, Peter Georgiou, elected.

The party's WA Senate ticket at the election was a family affair. Mr Georgiou is Senator Culleton's brother-in-law. The number three spot was filled by Ioanna Culleton, his wife. 

The One Nation website describes Mr Georgiou as the son of migrant parents and a small businessman.