Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party will mount a High Court challenge in an effort to steal Tasmania’s final Senate seat from the Australian Greens.
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After former senator Stephen Parry was found ineligible to sit in the Senate, some political analysts predicted a recount could see One Nation’s Kate McCulloch win the 12th seat from the Greens’ Nick McKim.
Following the resignation of Mr Parry, a special recount to fill the vacancy is likely to occur.
The High Court of Australia will sit on December 8 to decide how the vacancy of Mr Parry will be filled.
It may also order the Australian Electoral Commission to conduct the recount for Jacqui Lambie’s position at the same time.
One Nation Senate candidate Kate McCulloch confirmed to Fairfax Media the party was preparing to lodge documents in the High Court to challenge for the 12th seat.
“We are progressing it,” she said.
Ms McCulloch, who this month confirmed the party had sought legal advice on the issue, believed she was a chance of sitting in the federal parliament.
“I speak in facts only – I’m feeling confident,” she said.
Senator McKim dismissed One Nation’s attempt to take his seat.
“We have taken advice from a constitutional lawyer and on that basis we are very confident that my position is secure and not under question,” he said.
Earlier this month Tasmanian Greens senator, Peter Whish-Wilson, warned the conservative party not to waste the court’s time.
Ms McCulloch also pledged not to repeat the actions of Fraser Anning, who defected to become an independent senator after replacing Malcolm Roberts.
“I will remain a member of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation,” she said.
An Examiner poll found 44.7 per cent of respondents wanted the Australian Greens to hold the 12th Tasmanian Senate seat compared to 22 per cent of people who wanted One Nation.
Senator Whish-Wilson said the party had sought legal advice from the same source that correctly determined Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters were ineligible to sit.
“Two independent QCs have said we have no problem,” Senator Whish-Wilson said.
Ms McCulloch lost to Senator McKim in 2016 by 141 votes.