The High Court has declared Labor’s David Smith to be the new senator for the ACT after former senator Katy Gallagher was thrown out over citizenship issues.

Ms Gallagher was booted from the Senate two weeks ago, after the High Court found she had failed to take reasonable steps to renounce her citizenship to the UK.

A special recount was ordered, and Ms Gallagher’s running mate Mr Smith was declared the winner at a short hearing in Brisbane today.

Mr Smith, the ACT director of the union Professionals Australia, said he had no plans to stand aside to pave the way for her return.

“I made it fairly clear that I don’t see this role as being a seat warmer, there’s a really important job to be done, and that job for me starts today,” he said.

“I’m Canberra born and bred, so there are a lot of Canberra issues that are really important to me, the importance and value of public servants, the importance of ensuring that everyone gets a fair share of the prosperity in Canberra.”

Ms Gallagher’s ousting triggered the resignation of three other Labor MPs, and the Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie.

All lower house vacancies will be filled in by-elections.

-ABC