New twist after renegade senator sues party

Renegade LNP Senator Gerard Rennick has suffered a major court loss after launching legal action against his own party when his bid for a senate spot was dashed during an internal party ballot.

Senator Rennick was booted off the LNP’s senate ticket last July after losing his spot by just three votes to party treasurer Stuart Fraser.

After failing to appeal the decision with the party, he took them to court – naming Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Nationals Leader David Littleproud and even Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in his Supreme Court lawsuit.

Senator Rennick was seeking declarations that he was entitled to appeal this ballot and his appeal was not lost by the expiration of time.

On Thursday, Justice Glenn Martin dismissed Senator Rennick’s application.

He was also ordered to pay standard costs – with indemnity costs applied from May 11.

Senator Rennick gained a reputation as an outspoken critic of the efficacy of vaccines during the Morrison government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He argued his attempts to appeal the preselection during the LNP’s state conference in Brisbane last year were denied, after the State Council determined the appeal was not lodged within the statutory 60-day time frame.

During a hearing last month, the court was told people eligible to vote for senators at State Council, under the party’s constitution, were usually given different coloured lanyards and those entitled to vote were “physically segregated”.

Michael Stewart KC, representing Senator Rennick, said neither of these acts occurred on this occasion.

Senator Rennick alleges in his affidavit he was given a voting paper by an LNP employee, despite the fact he was not eligible to vote.

He further claims another person mentioned in the affidavit was ineligible to vote at the time of the ballot as she had not paid her party fees on time, but was still able to cast a vote in the ballot.

“Much of the evidence relied upon by the senator paints a picture of a state council meeting which was run in an unprofessional manner,” Mr Stewart told the court.

“It is our submission there’s a very strong case with contending with the appeal.”

He said there was nothing in the LNP constitution which gave Senator Rennick the right of any further address.

“All he can do is what he was attempting to do in pursuing his appeal, which has been thwarted by the state executive,” Mr Stewart said.