Rod Culleton fails High Court bid to keep senator status

Embattled Western Australian politician Rod Culleton has failed in his high court bid to be allowed to stay in the Senate.

The 52-year-old former One Nation senator argued that he was wrongly stripped of his seat while he challenged a bankruptcy declaration.

Mr Culleton argued his removal as senator was premature, because he was challenging his bankruptcy.

Justice Stephen Gageler dismissed his application this afternoon, but ordered his costs be paid by the Commonwealth.

The former senator has had his office cleared out and his pay cancelled.

He argued Senate President Stephen Parry had no legal right to remove him as a senator.

"He's not my superior - just because he's nominated to sit as the president in the Senate doesn't give him powers above the law,” Mr Culleton said.

"Who are they to disadvantage the people of Western Australia?"

"They have no right to do that."