Rod Culleton: Former One Nation senator referred to Australian Federal Police for ‘false’ election nomination

Former One Nation and independent WA senator Rod Culleton has been referred to the Australian Federal Police for submitting a “false” election candidate nomination. The controversial politician, who is listed on the Great Australian Party website as its leader and candidate for WA in the forthcoming Federal election, didn’t declare his bankruptcy on his application. The Australian Electoral Commission on Friday confirmed the blunder - after the Thursday deadline for nominations - which goes against a declaration of financial situation requirement, under section 44 of the Constitution. Any person who is an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent, is incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of Representatives. “Mr Culleton’s nomination declared that he was not an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent,” a commission spokesman said. “The AEC notes Mr Culleton is listed on the National Personal Insolvency Index as an undischarged bankrupt. It appears therefore that he may have made a false declaration as part of his nomination process. “The AEC has referred this matter to the Australian Federal Police for their consideration.” Under the electoral act, the commission doesn’t have the power to reject a candidate’s nomination even if it contains a false declaration of eligibility. Which means Mr Culleton’s name will still appear on the WA Senate ballot paper in the 2022 Federal election. The election ballot draw took place on Friday. The 57-year-old had completed the nomination form and mandatory qualification checklist, together with the requisite $2000 fee, before the Thursday midday deadline. It comes after Mr Culleton was this month in court over an alleged quarantine breach, a charge he vowed to fight in the High Court. The West Australian in March reported that a Supreme Court judge had cleared the way for the forced sale of the farm which was the scene of the former senator and anti-bank campaigner’s latest run-in with the law. Mr Culleton recently appeared in Perth Magistrates Court charged with assaulting a public officer in an October encounter when bailiffs seized the farm at Ryansbrook.