Pauline Hanson's chief-of-staff has been banned from parliament after fighting with a senator who admitted smearing blood on the One Nation leader's door after the ugly clash.
James Ashby had his parliamentary pass revoked by Senate president Scott Ryan as drama engulfed One Nation and defector Brian Burston on Thursday.
Senator Burston, now in parliament under Clive Palmer's United Australia Party banner, concluded he must have smeared blood on Senator Hanson's office door, despite bizarrely claiming not to remember doing so.
Mr Ashby and Senator Burston were involved in a physical altercation on Wednesday night, after attending a dinner at which they sat on the same table.
The fracas deepened an already bitter spat between Senator Burston and Senator Hanson, who have been at loggerheads since he split from the party last year.
Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said the tawdry episode was a cautionary tale about voting for parties like One Nation.
"What we saw yesterday was yet again another example of why voting for some of these fringe parties, you never know what you will get," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
"It's a pretty obvious case from the footage I have seen that an assault occurred and the authorities should take appropriate action."
Tensions have boiled over since Senator Hanson and Senator Burston accused each other of sexual misconduct.
After his pass was revoked, Mr Ashby released a statement saying he respected the decision but wanted the incident investigated fully.
Senator Hanson accused the presiding officers of double standards, suggesting Senator Burston should also face action.
"Because he's a senator ... I think there are rules for one, and totally different for everyone else," she told reporters.
Passholders, including parliamentary staff, media and lobbyists, are allowed into Parliament House's secure areas but have conditions placed on their entry that don't apply to elected representatives.
Australian Associated Press
