Family First senator Bob Day has signalled his intention to stay in the Senate until at least early 2017, despite announcing his resignation this month.
In a series of Twitter posts on Wednesday, the embattled South Australian claimed his party and home state would not have adequate representation because a replacement senator couldn't be appointed before the end of the year.
Hanging on to his seat will see Senator Day continue to receive his $199,040 annual salary, or about $3800 per week before tax. Senator Day stands to receive at least $45,000 base pay should he delay his resignation until February, when Parliament traditionally resumes.
Since the July 2 federal election, he has taken home more than $30,000 pay despite attending just three out of 15 official sitting days.
Senator Day announced his resignation last week, days after his housing construction empire was placed into liquidation. Senator Day would be expelled from Parliament if he is declared bankrupt.
He previously said it "would be untenable to stay in Parliament".
Senator Day is yet to hand his formal resignation to Senate president Stephen Parry, leading to speculation he would seek to stay in Parliament to vote to support the government's Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation.
"Marriage plebiscite legislation, ABCC and our other work too important to Family First to have a vacant seat for even 1 day in November," Senator Day wrote.
Passage of the industrial relations bills would be a significant political victory for the Turnbull government. Senator Day's vote will be crucial because the government needs nine out of 11 crossbenchers to support the legislation. If he is not present for the votes, he could seek a pair with Labor.
If I left @AuSenate now there would be no Family First vote & 1 less SA vote. There isn't time to install a replacement before year's end— Bob Day (@senatorbobday) October 25, 2016
Family First officials met in Adelaide on Saturday to discuss the casual vacancy but the process of picking a replacement is expected to take at least four weeks. The replacement has to be endorsed by South Australia's Parliament.
Senator Day is understood to be delaying his resignation in order to block Family First's South Australia upper house member Robert Brokenshire from securing the federal seat. Senator Day supports former chief of staff Rikki Lambert replacing him in the Senate.
Parliament will return on November 7 for three final sitting weeks of 2016, with the Senate expected to vote on the two industrial relations bills used for trigger the July 2 double dissolution election and on the government's planned same-sex marriage plebiscite.
On Wednesday, Treasurer Scott Morrison rejected suggestions the Coalition was trying to keep Senator Day in the Senate.
"Bob Day's position in the Parliament is a matter for Bob Day," he told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
"It's completely a matter for him."
Mr Lambert declined to comment on Wednesday.
