Labor questions why Family First Senator Bob Day has missed all but three days of Parliament since the federal election

A LABOR MP has questioned Family First Senator Bob Day’s mystery leave from Canberra.

Family First Senator Bob Day has repeatedly been granted a leave of absence for “personal reasons” and has only been in Parliament for three of the 11 sitting days.

• Bob Day wins 12th Senate spot for South Australia

FAMILY First Senator Bob Day must explain his mystery absence from parliament for all but three sitting days since the federal election, a Labor MP says.

Senator Alex Gallacher has demanded to know if Senator Day has taken time off to deal with problems in his building businesses, which face financial problems.

Senator Day has repeatedly been granted a leave of absence for “personal reasons” and has only been in Parliament for three of the 11 sitting days.

Senator Day’s office was yesterday unable to say if the personal reasons related to the Homestead Homes and Home Australia founder’s business interests.

He also declined to comment earlier this week after reports of long construction delays and issues with paying suppliers in South Australia.

“The Senate has given me leave to be absent for personal reasons,’’ Senator Day said in a statement.

“Almost every sitting day, senators are excused for personal reasons. Nobody asks them to divulge the personal reasons for their absence.”

Senator Gallacher yesterday said it was appropriate for senators to take leave if they were ill or needed to deal with family issues.

But he said Senator Day should provide an adequate explanation for why he wasn’t in Canberra.

“I think we’re entitled to ask why he isn’t here and he ought to make a statement about why he isn’t here representing the interests of South Australians,’’ Senator Gallacher said.

“I respect his business success but his business interests should be kept at arm’s length.

“Imagine if the Prime Minister missed Parliament because of matters related to his investments.”

Senator Alex Gallacher has demanded to know if Senator Day has taken time off to deal with problems in his building businesses, which face financial problems.

Senators who miss more than two months of any session of Parliament without the permission of the Senate automatically lose their seats.

Senator Day scraped back into Parliament at the election, winning the 12th of South Australia’s 12 Senate seats.

The conservative senator votes with the Coalition on most issues and the Coalition has repeatedly moved resolutions granting him leave.

Under “pair” arrangements, if a member of a major party is away from Parliament, a member of the other big party will usually abstain from voting so that the ratio of opposition to government members remains the same.

MPs and senators are generally able to be granted leave or a pair for personal reasons without having to provide specific reasons to members of other parties.

In 2013, Liberal whip Warren Entsch outraged MPs on all sides of politics after refusing to grant Labor MP Michelle Rowland a pair when her baby was sick.

Mr Entsch also demanded to know what specific health conditions Labor MPs were suffering from when they requested pairs due to ill-health.

Parliament rose last night for the week.

The House of Representatives will sit from Monday next week and Senators will grill public servants in Estimates committee hearings.