West Australian Senator Rod Culleton has quit the One Nation party and vowed to stay on in parliament as an independent.
The maverick senator cited a fraught relationship with leader Pauline Hanson, a lack of respect from party colleagues and a slew of policy splits between he and the One Nation team in announcing his resignation.
"Policy decisions have been run in morning media, with no consultation, discussion or agreement from the party room and personal attacks and undermining, un-Australian behaviour towards myself and my team, has been ongoing and terms dictated to the team," Senator Culleton said in a statement.
"I can no longer tolerate the lack of party support for my positive initiatives, including the recent abandonment of PHON's pre-election commitment to a banking royal commission."
Pauline Hanson said she was glad to see him go.
"Rod Culleton was a pain in my backside. I am glad to see the back of him," Hanson told the Seven Network on Monday.
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Culleton accused Senator Hanson and her chief of staff of trying to force him to resign and wielding control over his office.
"The PHON leader's rants against me have been accompanied by demands for my resignation and control over diaries, office management and staffing by Senator Hanson and her chief of staff, James Ashby," he said.
"The irrational dictates have caused only distrust and disunity.
The embattled senator is facing legal battles, including one case before the High Court, which could render him ineligible as a parliamentarian.
But Senator Culleton has vowed to fight on as an independent.
