Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party Senator Ricky Muir sacks second staffer in less than a week
Motorists party senator Ricky Muir greets Palmer United Party senator Zheny Wang during the swearing in ceremony for new senators Parliament House in Canberra last month. (AAP)
Rookie senator Ricky Muir's team is getting smaller.
The Victorian senator has sacked adviser Peter Breen, the second staff member to go in less than a week.
Mr Breen's departure follows that of Senator Muir's former chief of staff Glenn Druery last Thursday.
Senator Muir said the former NSW politician had been sacked for calling in sick and then travelling 700km from Sydney to attend a festival.
He had a medical appointment on Thursday, but it was his sick day on Friday that got him fired, Senator Muir said.
However, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Mr Breen was having skin cancer surgery when he was fired.
Senator Muir was more tight-lipped about the reasons for getting rid of Mr Druery last week, saying they were private.
Mr Druery, known as the "preference whisperer" due to his knack for Senate election deals, helped Senator Muir get elected for Victoria in September 2013 on 0.5 per cent of the primary vote.
"It has been very upsetting to have to move two people on from my team," Senator Muir said in a statement today.
"I now hope to rebuild my team and focus on the very important work of representing all Victorians and the motoring enthusiast community in the Senate."
Senator Muir was sworn into parliament in July.
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