Senator casts fate of 'Munificent Seven'

A crossbench senator has dared to delve into the cases of seven federal politicians awaiting High Court rulings on their citizenship status, labelling them the "munificent seven."

Senator Derryn Hinch told reporters on Monday that many of the seven were munificent for being liberal with the truth and that he expected the High Court to "knock most of them out".

Explainer: What happens if the politicians are disqualified?

"[Senator Malcolm] Roberts will be first out of the starting gates obviously," Senator Hinch said.

"I hope that Nick Xenophon avoids it. I think he's got the most justifiable case of anybody."

Senator Xenophon announced his retirement from federal parliament earlier this month to return to South Australian state politics.

"It's very important to Nick. If the High Court rules he's clean, he can then resign and appoint whoever gets the next Senate seat," Senator Hinch said.