Rod Culleton: WA Premier to take One Nation Senate vacancy advice 'seriously'
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WA Premier Colin Barnett believes his Government may have to choose between rival nominations for the Senate vacancy created by the disqualification of Rod Culleton, but says he will take on board advice from his former party One Nation.
The brief and turbulent Senate career of Mr Culleton came to an end when Senate President Stephan Parry advised the WA Governor of the Senate vacancy earlier this week.
It followed a Federal Court ruling in December that the then-senator was bankrupt.
Standing for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party, Mr Culleton was elected to the Senate in the double-dissolution federal election on July 2, but he parted ways with the party in December.
Normally, the former senator's party would nominate a replacement.
The nomination would be considered by Premier and Cabinet, which would then make a recommendation to the Governor.
Once accepted by the Governor, the appointment of a replacement would be approved by a joint sitting of the State Parliament.
If Parliament was not in a sitting period, the would-be senator could still take their place and vote with the approval of both state houses, which would come later.
But Mr Barnett said this case may not be so straightforward.
"I think there would be an argument that [it should be] the next person on the One Nation ticket, which I understand is the brother-in-law of the former senator, but I also understand from what I hear in the media that One Nation and Pauline Hanson will have her view," he said.
"And I would imagine that One Nation will probably contact myself at some stage, and suggest who that person should be.
"I have no idea what their nomination will be and I've got no idea what the decision I and Cabinet will make."
Choose wisely, WA Premier warns Hanson
Mr Barnett said his Government would take seriously a nomination from Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
But he cautioned her to choose wisely.
"My one little piece of gratuitous advice for Pauline Hanson is: if you are not going to nominate the second person on the ticket, nominate someone who is likely to be endorsed by both houses of Parliament," he said.
The matter is further complicated by a pending High Court case.
The High Court is still considering whether Mr Culleton was eligible for election in the first place.
If it rules his election was valid, the WA Government, Governor and State Parliament would endorse his replacement.
But if it rules Mr Culleton was not eligible, it is likely there would be a recount to decide the successful Senate candidate.
The High Court is due to hand down its decision in the Culleton case on January 30.
Topics: government-and-politics, wa
