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New MP left in the cold

Peter Bannan

The Victorian Nationals’ new upper house MP is exploring legal options after being denied a joint sitting of Parliament to be sworn in. 

Luke O’Sullivan was chosen as the member for Northern Victoria to replace Damian Drum, who quit state politics to successfully take the federal seat of Murray, feared he might not be sworn in until December. 

“I am looking at my legal options, because (the government is) denying the constitutional rights of one-fifth of Victorians,” Mr O’Sullivan told The Guardian yesterday. 

The Northern Victoria region includes Swan Hill. 

A joint sitting of Parliament is required for a new MP to be sworn in but when the opposition tried to introduce a notice of motion to the lower house last Tuesday to do so, the government said suspended Labor minister Gavin Jennings had to be there. 

To read more of this story, grab a copy of today’s Guardian (August 24). 

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