Senator kicked out before he sits down
A BITTER split between One Nation and a “stunned” newly installed senator has overshadowed the swearing- in of Australia’s three freshest parliamentarians.
Fraser Anning was supposed to be One Nation’s replacement for Malcolm Roberts, who was disqualified by the High Court for holding dual citizenship.
He entered the chamber for yesterday’s swearing- in flanked by crossbench senators Cory Bernardi and David Lyonhjelm while One Nation’s Brian Burston and Peter Georgiou sat watching.
An hour later One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Senator Anning had abandoned the party to sit as an independent. Senator Hanson blocked four of Senator Anning’s staff, who used to work for Mr Roberts, from entering a party room meeting yesterday, accusing them of “disloyalty”.
Senator Anning then walked out of the meeting, before seeing on TV he was an independent. “It seems that without even contacting me, Pauline has unilaterally kicked me out of her party. I have to say I am stunned,” he said.
Senator Anning was joined by Jordon Steele- John and Andrew Bartlett from the Greens in being sworn in yesterday.
Senator Steele- John, who at 23 is Australia’s youngest ever senator, replaced Scott Ludlam, who quit parliament after learning he was a dual citizen. Before his swearing- in, Senator Steele- John promised to be a voice for young people and his state of Western Australia.
Senator Bartlett, who was leader of the Australian Democrats in a previous parliament, has replaced former Greens senator Larissa Waters, who resigned over her dual citizenship with Canada.