The Federal Government is defending a push by Labor to refer Coalition MP Chris Crewther to the High Court under section 44.
The Victorian MP for Dunkley is accused by the opposition to be ineligible due to his $25,000 investment in a biotechnology company which has received Commonwealth grants and funding.
Following the Government’s loss of their parliamentary majority, if the referral of Mr Crewther is supported by the crossbench and he loses the court bid, a by-election would be triggered in his seat, with polls indicating Labor could win it.