Gangland widow Roberta Williams makes tilt at federal politics against Bill Shorten – Brisbane Times

The onus is not on the electoral commission to screen or disqualify candidates, regardless of their criminal history or financial status. That responsibility rests with the High Court.

According to section 44 of the Australian constitution, anyone who has been declared bankrupt, sentenced to more than 12 months in prison or is a citizen of another country is disqualified from sitting as a senator or member of the House of Representatives.

This is the same section of the constitution that has controversially claimed the scalps of several dual-citizen MPs.

Ms Williams was declared bankrupt by the Federal Court in November 2016, owing almost $300,000 in unpaid taxes to the Australian Taxation Office.