Formxjmtzywer One Nation senator Rod Culleton has been referred to the Australian Federal Police by election officials – on the same day the electoral commission declared all of WA’s senate candidates.
The Australian Electoral Commission said Mr Culleton may have made a false declaration in his Senate candidate nomination for the upcoming election.
Mr Culleton’s nomination declared he was not an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent.
However, records show he is listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index as an undischarged bankrupt.
“Mr Culleton is listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index as an undischarged bankrupt,” the electoral commission said.
“It appears therefore that he may have made a false declaration as part of his nomination process.”
Mr Culleton won a seat as a One Nation senator in Western Australia in the 2016 election but shortly after he quit the party to sit as an independent.
Soon after that, Mr Culleton was dismissed from his position in the Senate for being bankrupt.
Australia’s constitution states: “Any person who is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent, shall be incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of Representative.”
He is now leader of the fringe Great Australia Party, which claims to be fielding 28 candidates in the upcoming election in various states and territories.
One of the party’s platforms is protecting the jobs of those who choose not to be vaccinated.
The AEC itself does not have power to question the validity of statements in a candidates nomination or to reject nominations that are suspected of being invalid.
Instead it has referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police for their consideration.
The AEC said as it stands, Mr Culleton’s name will appear on the WA Senate ballot paper in the 2022 federal election.
Mr Culleton became bankrupt by order of WA Supreme court on 23 December 2016, according to the Australian Financial Security Authority.
However, he refused to accept the ruling to cooperate with the administrative process for managing a bankruptcy.
In April 2019 Mr Culleton was convicted, fined $2000 and ordered to pay costs for failing to file a Statement of Affairs.
“It’s important for those who’ve been declared bankrupt by court order to meet their obligations, including the submission of a Statement of Affairs,” regulator Gavin McCosker said last year.
“Failing to do so can extend your bankruptcy indefinitely, putting extra stress and pressure on both you and the creditors who are owed money.”
