New senator swearing-in delayed by measles

Rod Culleton's replacement in the Senate won't be sworn-in until next week as he recovers from the measles.

Incoming One Nation senator Peter Georgiou will miss his first week in the job because he has the measles.

Senate President Stephen Parry has tabled a High Court order in parliament on Monday, declaring Mr Georgiou the elected replacement for the Western Australian Senate seat vacated by his brother-in-law Rod Culleton.

"He will not be attending the Senate this week but hopes to be well enough to join us next week," Senator Parry said.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson donned a mask to visit her new senator at the Royal Perth Hospital earlier in March, just days after she came under fire for questioning the effectiveness of vaccinations and encouraged parents to do their own research.

"Isn't it ironic. Our new Western Australian senator has caught measles in Bali after I caught foot in mouth earlier this week," she wrote on Facebook, alongside a picture of her by his bedside.

The electrical contractor officially replaced Mr Culleton after a recount of the ballot papers named him as the next electable candidate.

But he received the news of his election from his hospital bed.

It followed a dramatic end to Mr Culleton's short-lived political career, having been removed from parliament in January after the Federal Court declared him bankrupt.

His election was also ruled invalid by the High Court in February because he had been convicted of larceny at the time, even though the conviction was later annulled.


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Source: AAP



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