Parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper continues to face the prospect of a court trial after a magistrate ruled against his application for a stay of proceedings.
His counsel Kylie Weston-Scheuber had asked for a permanent stay, arguing the case was an abuse of process because parliamentary privilege meant her client would not be able to present a proper defence.
ACT Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker on Wednesday rejected the argument, paving the way for the trial in Canberra to proceed.
"Parliamentary privilege may apply, but at this stage it is purely speculation," the magistrate said.
Following the ruling, counsel for Slipper sought an adjournment to make an application to the Supreme Court.
Ms Walker set the matter aside until another day.
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