One Nation senator Rod Culleton has been labelled a "serial litigant" after applying to have a Federal Court case regarding $205,000 in damages he's been ordered to pay heard in the High Court.
Senator Culleton was in 2013 ordered to pay the damages after he terminated a 2009 deal with former Wesfarmers director Dick Lester for land near Williams in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region within months of it being signed, citing financial problems.
Despite advising the Federal Court he'd be available to answer his telephone on Monday morning, Senator Culleton twice failed to pick up.
The court heard he had about three hours earlier sent an application for the matter to be elevated to the High Court, saying it should be heard there as his argument was based on the constitution.
But the matter of whether to accept a creditor's petition filed last month, with the intent of bringing on an involuntary bankruptcy, will instead be heard and determined in the Federal Court in Perth on December 8.
The figure has grown to $280,000 plus costs.
Mr Lester's lawyer, Michael Lundberg, noted Senator Culleton had found time to hold a press conference after a separate appearance in the High Court in Canberra on Monday over his eligibility to run for parliament because of a larceny conviction at the time of the July 2 election.
Mr Lundberg sought to speed up his client's case, saying Senator Culleton's various appeals had incurred extra legal costs and represented "satellite or parasitic litigation".
"This matter has been around for some considerable time," the lawyer said.
Speaking outside court, Mr Lester said Senator Culleton was a "serial litigant" and it was disappointing he hadn't answered his phone.
The 78-year-old said he hoped the matter would be resolved next month, but he didn't expect it would be.
"I'm only interested in receiving the money from Rodney that the court has awarded me," Mr Lester said.
"And I expect him to pay."
Asked if he regretted doing business with Senator Culleton, Mr Lester replied: "We just keep soldiering on."
Share
