Bob Day should give up medals, withdraw from public life says Nick Champion

SENATOR Bob Day should give up his Order of Australia medal and withdraw from public life, says South Australian Labor MP Nick Champion.

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SENATOR Bob Day should give up his Order of Australia medal and withdraw from public life, says South Australian Labor MP Nick Champion.

Mr Champion told The Advertiser that Senator Day had taken the right approach by resigning from the Senate to deal with his business affairs.

But he said he should consider the positions that he holds, including his Order of Australia medal.

Senator Day was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003 for services to the housing industry, including through the “Housing the Homeless” program.

In the same year, Senator Day was also awarded the Centenary of Federation medal for service to housing and charity.

“I think Senator Day has to reconsider his position in the Senate and has to consider these other positions he holds and see what’s the right thing to do by South Australians,” Mr Champion said.

“There are now 200 so families who are waiting for their homes, there are subcontractors who need to be paid and of course all of those people are aggrieved,” he said.

“(Senator Day should) consider the orders that he’s previously got, and he should consider retreating from public life and giving up his affairs in order to fix his private business affairs.”

On Wednesday it emerged that Family First members dreaming of a senate spot had had a rude awakening with Sen Day set to extend his stay in parlaiment.

Three people officially put their names forward once the South Australian Senator said he would resign and the Advertiser has been told another six were considering a run.

Senator Day announced last week he would have to resign because his company, Home Australia, was in liquidation.

However, yesterday Family First revealed a mystery investor might be able to bail him out, leaving him to continue as a Senator.

In a tweet, Senator Day indicated he would stick around for the rest of the year meaning he could have a deciding vote on the Government’s union regulation Bill.

“If I left (the Senate) now there would be no Family First vote and one less SA vote,” he said.

“There isn’t time to install a replacement before year’s end.

“Marriage plebiscite legislation, ABCC (Australian Building and Construction Commission) and our other work is too important to Family First to have a vacant seat for even one day in November,” he added.

The official contenders are Senator Day’s chief of staff Rikki Lambert, state MLC Robert Brokenshire, and lawyer Lucy Guchuhi. Another six are eyeing off the spot.

Home Australia has been left owing creditors more than $12 million and more than 200 houses unfinished. Senator Day has been criticised for only attending Parliament for three days out of the past 11. He has also come under fire for effectively donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to Family First after receiving a share of a $2.67 million dividend from Home Australia in 2012-13.

The Advertiser can reveal Senator Day’s various companies have a combined real estate portfolio with more than a dozen properties worth millions. It is expected they will be used to pay back creditors; Senator Day has sworn to pay back “every cent”.

Home Australia was depending on a promised US$20 million cash injection from a Philippines-based company, but that pledge turned out to be fake.

Family First state leader and state MLC Dennis Hood said “a new potential investor has expressed interest in the Senator’s business”.

“As Senator Day has not formally resigned from the Senate, he maintains the position as a sitting Senator and therefore it would be inappropriate to make further comment on this matter,” he said.

Premier Jay Weatherill said there was enough time for Senator Day to be replaced – once the party has picked someone the State Parliament has to ratify that choice.

“If he resigns today we can replace him next Thursday,” Mr Weatherill said.

Mr Lambert, who is handling Senator Day’s media, said he was aware of the “kind offer” but that Senator Day would stay.