Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

High Court to give decision on Bob Day

The High Court will next week hand down its decision on how to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Bob Day.

Crossbench Senator Bob Day
Crossbench Senator Bob Day Source: AAP

The question of how to fill the long-vacant South Australian Senate seat left empty by Bob Day could be answered within days as the High Court hands down its decision.

Senate President Stephen Parry told parliament on Thursday the Court of Disputed Returns would hand down its decision on Wednesday at 10.15am.

The seat has been vacant since last year after the Family First senator resigned to deal with his collapsing building business, but there are questions about whether he was validly elected in the first place, and how the vacancy should be filled.

Mr Day's eligibility is being challenged on the grounds he may have directly or indirectly benefited from the commonwealth through a lease arrangement relating to his Adelaide electoral office.

Under section 44 of the constitution, a member or senator can be disqualified where there is "any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any agreement with the public service of the commonwealth".

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Former Labor senator Anne McEwen, who lost her seat at the July federal election, is a party to the case, given it could open the door for her return to parliament if he is disqualified.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world