Rod Culleton
| Senator Rod Culleton | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Western Australia | |
|
Assumed office 2 July 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rodney Norman Culleton 5 June 1964 Narrogin, Western Australia |
| Political party | Pauline Hanson's One Nation |
| Spouse(s) | Ioanna Culleton |
| Website | senatorculleton.com.au |
Rodney Norman "Rod" Culleton (born 5 June 1964) is an Australian politician, representing Western Australia in the Australian Senate for the Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. He was elected at the 2016 election.
Criminal charges and possible Senate ineligibility
Culleton was convicted in March 2016 of a charge of larceny in New South Wales. He has appealed the conviction which relates to a dispute with a tow truck operator in New South Wales.[1] The in absentia conviction was annulled on 8 August 2016.[2] Culleton subsequently plead guilty to the offence however no conviction was recorded.[3]
A second charge relating to a hire car in Western Australia has not yet been heard in a court. Both charges are reported to relate to advocacy for farmers in financial difficulty.[1] The hire car charge is expected to be heard in the Perth Magistrates Court over four days but no court dates are available until 2017. It was next due for mention in October 2016.[4]
If either conviction stands, he would be ineligible to be a member of the Senate. If he was already disqualified at the time of the election, a recount would be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, disregarding him as a candidate,[2] which is likely to result in the election of the next One Nation candidate.[5] If he is found to have become disqualified as a senator after being elected, then his disqualification would create a casual vacancy which would be filled by the Parliament of Western Australia on advice from the party.[2] The second and third One Nation candidates on the ballot paper were Culleton's brother-in-law and wife.[6]
His election is the subject of a petition lodged with the Court of Disputed Returns by a former colleague, claiming that Culleton was not able to nominate for the election as he was convicted and awaiting sentence in New South Wales at the time of the election.[7] Subsequently, the federal government said it will ask the Senate to also refer the matter to the High Court.[8]
Personal life
Culleton's wife Ioanna is of Greek heritage. He does not support the party position that multiculturalism has failed. He became an advocate for farmers after his own farm at Williams was foreclosed in 2013.[5]
References
- 1 2 Chang, Charis (1 August 2016). "Pauline Hanson's surprises keep on coming". News Limited. AAP. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- 1 2 3 "One Nation senator conviction set aside". SBS. AAP. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ↑ "One Nation Senator Rod Culleton pleads guilty to larceny, avoids conviction". ABC. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- ↑ Menagh, Joanna (13 September 2016). "One Nation Senator Rod Culleton's trial over alleged hire car theft may be delayed until 2017". Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- 1 2 Day, Lauren (29 July 2016). "One Nation: Likely WA senator Rod Culleton struggles to defend and explain party policies". ABC News.
- ↑ Taylor, Grant; Tillett, Andrew (6 July 2016). "One Nation WA Senate candidate Rod Culleton on stealing charge". The West Australian. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ↑ Day, Lauren (25 August 2016). "One Nation's Rod Culleton faces court challenge over eligibility for Senate seat". 7.30. ABC. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
- ↑ Karp, Paul (2 November 2016). "Government challenges election of One Nation senator Rod Culleton". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-11-04.