Australian deputy PM says he may not be eligible for parliament

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Australian deputy PM says he may not be eligible for parliament

By Colin Packham

 

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (2nd R) reacts with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) as Barnaby Joyce, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, laughs during an official signing ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, March 24, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said on Monday he may not be eligible for parliament after being told he may be a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand, potentially posing a threat to the conservative government's hold on power.

 

Australian politicians are not eligible to be elected to parliament if they hold dual or plural citizenship, a rule that has forced the resignation of two senators in recent weeks.

 

Joyce is the leader of the rural-based National party, the junior partner in the centre-right Liberal-National coalition government that has just a single seat majority in parliament.

 

The government's majority would be eliminated if Joyce was forced from office, likely triggering an election, political analysts said.

 

Joyce, who was born in Australia, said he was told by New Zealand officials last week that he may be a citizen by descent.

 

His mother was Australian and his father was born in New Zealand and came to Australia in 1947 as a British subject.

 

"Neither I nor my parents have ever had any reason to believe that I may be a citizen of any other country," he said.

 

Joyce asked for the matter to be referred to Australia's High Court for a ruling on his eligibility.

 

He said he would not resign or temporarily step down from office after being told by Australian Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue that he was likely to be cleared by the High Court.

 

However, should the High Court rule against him, it would likely end Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government.

 

If Joyce was disqualified, Turnbull would be forced to rely on the support of independents to prevent a successful no- confidence vote from the opposition Labor Party.

 

"I think if Joyce is forced out, Turnbull would call an election," said Peter Chen, a senior lecturer in government at the University of Sydney.

 

Recent polls suggest Turnbull would lose an early election, with his government bleeding support to the populist far-right One Nation party, while moderates have flocked to Labor as Turnbull struggles to deliver on his progressive reputation.

 

(Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Michael Perry and Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-14

[Rancid]

Seems a lot of our politicians are from overseas, does that mean we can blame our poor governance on foreigners? Also seen articles lately suggesting Oz has slipped into a totalitarian state, that may be a bit strong at this point but the trend is definitely going that way. How often do we see great counties and people ruined by their corrupt governments?

[Cats4ever]

I always thought Elmer Fudd was American?

[Ulic]

15 hours ago, Rancid said:

Seems a lot of our politicians are from overseas, does that mean we can blame our poor governance on foreigners? Also seen articles lately suggesting Oz has slipped into a totalitarian state, that may be a bit strong at this point but the trend is definitely going that way. How often do we see great counties and people ruined by their corrupt governments?

I read things differently. He may qualify for NZ citizenship but it is by means

of decent. If he has never applied for NZ citizenship I can't really see any issues. 

[Kiwiken]

I think it is quite a Xenophobic law to disqualify Australian Citizens if the have dual citizenship.

To become an MP in New Zealand you just have to be a New Zealand Citizen. Dual does not disqualify you. Why should it? As long as you are a citizen you have stated your loyalty.

A second citizenship is generally held for convenience of travel but not as a show of disloyalty.

Australian Citizens (68,000+) living in NZ as Residents are entitled to vote and to all the benefits of the New Zealand Nation. On the other hand kiwis living in Australia are increasing disenfranchised regardless of length of time in Country or contribution to Australia. Which is why more are returning to NZ than leaving now.