Fraser Anning is facing bankruptcy, three months after being turfed out of the Senate by voters
news.com.au August 2, 2019
Controversial former politician Fraser Anning is facing a new blow, three months after failing to secure re-election to the Senate.
The far right-wing figure reportedly owes $185,000 to Bendigo Bank in relation to his investment in a defunct agriculture business.
The bank’s subsidiary ABL Nominees has filed an application with the Federal Court to have Mr Anning placed into bankruptcy.
Bendigo Bank has launched bankruptcy proceedings against Fraser Anning.
The ABC reports that he is currently in the United States visiting family — his two daughters live there — and it’s unclear whether he will return to Australia to face court.
A hearing is set down for September 17.
Mr Anning rose to prominence as a One Nation candidate and wrangled a Senate spot after the abrupt exit of Malcolm Roberts during the Section 44 dual citizen saga.
He quit the party on his first day in parliament and then joined Bob Katter’s Party.
Fraser Anning’s brief time in politics was marred by constant controversy.
Mr Anning attracted controversy for his roundly condemned maiden speech, which referenced a “final solution” in regards to Muslim immigration.
Mr Katter later dumped him from his party for alleged racist conduct and Mr Anning sat as an independent, before forming his own party.
He again courted controversy by releasing a statement just hours after the Christchurch mosque massacres, blaming Muslims for the terrorist attacks that were carried out by an Australian right-wing extremist.
At the May 18 poll, he failed in a bid to be re-elected to the Senate and has largely disappeared from public life.
The action by Bendigo Bank is the second it has taken over debts held by Mr Anning.
In late 2017, the bank reportedly settled a dispute with him just before he entered the Senate, which cleared the way for him to be eligible.
The Constitution prevents undischarged bankrupts from sitting.