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Sixth Australian politician declares dual nationality

 

FILE PHOTO - Fiona Nash, Australian Minister for Regional Communications, Regional Development and Local Government and Territories speaks during Question Time in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, June 21, 2017. AAP/Mick Tsikas via REUTERS

 

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian senator on Thursday became the sixth politician to have their eligibility to sit in parliament questioned over dual citizenship rules, which proscribe Australians who are dual citizens from being elected to parliament.

 

Fiona Nash, deputy leader of the National Party, the minor party in the ruling coalition, told the Senate she was a dual British citizen.

 

The one-seat majority of the Liberal-National government would not be threatened if Nash were forced to step down because the Nationals would retain her seat in the Senate.

 

But the revelation is likely to be an embarrassment for the government which has criticised other parties for not checking thoroughly the status of members.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, also from the National Party, said on Monday he may not be eligible to be in parliament after being told he may be a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand.

 

New Zealand later said Joyce held citizenship as his father was born there. His mother was Australian and his father came to Australia in 1947 as a British subject.

 

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

 

"The legal advice is exactly the same as Barnaby Joyce's," Nash's spokesman told Reuters.

 

"It says that section 44 doesn’t apply to her because she didn’t take citizenship herself and had no reasonable knowledge."

Nash's estranged father, who was British, died a decade ago.

 

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Monday he was confident his government's slim majority was safe, despite the questions over Joyce's citizenship, which could disqualify him from parliament.

 

Australians are not eligible to be elected to parliament if they hold dual or plural citizenship.

 

The High Court will begin hearings into Joyce's eligibility on Aug. 24. Should he be ruled ineligible, Turnbull would be forced to rely on independents to pass legislation.

 

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-18

[Kerryd]

It's funny how some countries are very strict about who can be elected and control their country, while others literally let anybody get elected.

Australia doesn't allow people with dual citizenship's to hold public office (at the Federal level at least). Makes sense because, by rights, you are supposed to swear an oath of loyalty towards the country you are serving but what about the other country you hold citizenship in ? Can't be loyal to 2 masters at the same time. It's not so big a deal when you aren't making decisions that could affect the rest of the people in that country but it could be a concern if you are making those kinds of decisions.
 

Meanwhile in Canada you can outright lie about your birthplace, hold dual (or more) citizenship's,  get elected and even become a Cabinet Minister without any problems at all. Even when you admit that while you were on a trip to Iran a year before the election (using your Afghan passport), you were "convinced" that you should go back to Canada and run for political office, instead of moving to Afghanistan like you been planning. Suddenly, 15 months later not only are you elected, you are a Cabinet Minister (responsible for "Democratic Institutions") and tasked with what ? Leading the push to change Canada's electoral system !

 

Canada even has leaders (or candidates for leadership) of main political parties that openly hold dual citizenship. Makes you wonder, if they became the PM and Canada ended up in say, a trade dispute or some legal issue with the other country that the PM is also a citizen of, whose side is he going to take ? It wouldn't really even matter because both sides would probably claim that person's judgement was biased because of conflicting loyalties.
 

Could you imagine if the USA let dual citizen (or immigrants) run for President ? Arnie would have probably won and become "President Terminator" or "Presidentator" (Terminator or Predator) instead of the "Governator".

[jimster]

26 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

It's funny how some countries are very strict about who can be elected and control their country, while others literally let anybody get elected.

Australia doesn't allow people with dual citizenship's to hold public office (at the Federal level at least). Makes sense because, by rights, you are supposed to swear an oath of loyalty towards the country you are serving but what about the other country you hold citizenship in ? Can't be loyal to 2 masters at the same time. It's not so big a deal when you aren't making decisions that could affect the rest of the people in that country but it could be a concern if you are making those kinds of decisions.
 

Meanwhile in Canada you can outright lie about your birthplace, hold dual (or more) citizenship's,  get elected and even become a Cabinet Minister without any problems at all. Even when you admit that while you were on a trip to Iran a year before the election (using your Afghan passport), you were "convinced" that you should go back to Canada and run for political office, instead of moving to Afghanistan like you been planning. Suddenly, 15 months later not only are you elected, you are a Cabinet Minister (responsible for "Democratic Institutions") and tasked with what ? Leading the push to change Canada's electoral system !

 

Canada even has leaders (or candidates for leadership) of main political parties that openly hold dual citizenship. Makes you wonder, if they became the PM and Canada ended up in say, a trade dispute or some legal issue with the other country that the PM is also a citizen of, whose side is he going to take ? It wouldn't really even matter because both sides would probably claim that person's judgement was biased because of conflicting loyalties.
 

Could you imagine if the USA let dual citizen (or immigrants) run for President ? Arnie would have probably won and become "President Terminator" or "Presidentator" (Terminator or Predator) instead of the "Governator".

Or in the USA were it is a known fact that many public officials hold dual US-Israeli citizenship. All other nationalities may be subject to scrutiny, but it's OK to be an Israeli citizen in the US government - Michael Chertoff, former head of the department of homeland security is but one example - he's a dual US/Israeli citizen. The only possible exception may be the office of President, but all other cabinet appointments are OK. Obviously a conflict of interest...

 

Wonder why Australia cares. So many Aussie politicians were born abroad, including former PM Julia Gillard who was born in England. Yet she was allowed to become PM.

[simple1]

1 hour ago, jimster said:

Wonder why Australia cares. So many Aussie politicians were born abroad, including former PM Julia Gillard who was born in England. Yet she was allowed to become PM.

Constitutional matter. Cannot present oneself for election if a dual national. Documented is in the paperwork, so obviously some Oz elected members did not bother to look into their nationality status to comply with legislated requirements.

[DoctorG]

It is difficult to keep up. A new one today. Nick X, who might be Maltese, and therefore British. All good fun as there are also 4 Labor Reps who are under a cloud. We might have to call an amnesty for 6 months to allow everyone to double check, and then have another election.

[Baerboxer]

3 hours ago, jimster said:

Or in the USA were it is a known fact that many public officials hold dual US-Israeli citizenship. All other nationalities may be subject to scrutiny, but it's OK to be an Israeli citizen in the US government - Michael Chertoff, former head of the department of homeland security is but one example - he's a dual US/Israeli citizen. The only possible exception may be the office of President, but all other cabinet appointments are OK. Obviously a conflict of interest...

 

Wonder why Australia cares. So many Aussie politicians were born abroad, including former PM Julia Gillard who was born in England. Yet she was allowed to become PM.

 

Julia Gillard was born in Wales.

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, simple1 said:

Constitutional matter. Cannot present oneself for election if a dual national. Documented is in the paperwork, so obviously some Oz elected members did not bother to look into their nationality status to comply with legislated requirements.

 

Possibly - or thought they were above the law.

[Richard W]

2 hours ago, simple1 said:

Constitutional matter. Cannot present oneself for election if a dual national. Documented is in the paperwork, so obviously some Oz elected members did not bother to look into their nationality status to comply with legislated requirements.

Interesting to note that any children born to Thai mothers are now banned from ever standing for election in Australia.

I believe many people don't know all their nationalities.  "Documented is in the paperwork" is wrong, both grammatically and under any interpretation.  Also, I'm not sure that all renounceable nationalities can be renounced if it is unclear whether one has the nationality.

[simple1]

13 minutes ago, Richard W said:

Interesting to note that any children born to Thai mothers are now banned from ever standing for election in Australia.<snip>

Not if they become Australian citizens and renounce Thai citizenship.

[Richard W]

22 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Not if they become Australian citizens and renounce Thai citizenship.

Section 39 (unless renumbered since 2016) of the constitution says, "Revocation of Thai nationality acquired by birth of a person shall not be permitted".  As I understand it, renunciation requires revocation on request.  So no can do.

 

The case I was thinking of was children born to an Australian father and a Thai mother in Australia.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Richard W
Add more concrete case.

[jimster]

45 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Julia Gillard was born in Wales.

I meant the UK - same thing to us non-Brits. England, whether it's Wales, Scotland whatever in general is just referred to as Britain, England or the UK. I don't really care which one I use they're all the same; neither do most non-British people.

[simple1]

29 minutes ago, Richard W said:

Section 39 (unless renumbered since 2016) of the constitution says, "Revocation of Thai nationality acquired by birth of a person shall not be permitted".  As I understand it, renunciation requires revocation on request.  So no can do.

 

The case I was thinking of was children born to an Australian father and a Thai mother in Australia.

OK didn't understand you were referring to Thai Law. Seems there are differing opinion to you, discussed in some detail at URL below. Don't known current Thai Law regards this matter.

 

 

[maoro2013]

It's Interesting. I did not realise I was a Kiwi citizen until two days ago. Hurray.

..

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Surprised Aus still has on the books such anachronistic and illogically xenophobic regulations.


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[ilostmypassword]

7 hours ago, Kerryd said:

It's funny how some countries are very strict about who can be elected and control their country, while others literally let anybody get elected.

Australia doesn't allow people with dual citizenship's to hold public office (at the Federal level at least). Makes sense because, by rights, you are supposed to swear an oath of loyalty towards the country you are serving but what about the other country you hold citizenship in ? Can't be loyal to 2 masters at the same time. It's not so big a deal when you aren't making decisions that could affect the rest of the people in that country but it could be a concern if you are making those kinds of decisions.
 

Meanwhile in Canada you can outright lie about your birthplace, hold dual (or more) citizenship's,  get elected and even become a Cabinet Minister without any problems at all. Even when you admit that while you were on a trip to Iran a year before the election (using your Afghan passport), you were "convinced" that you should go back to Canada and run for political office, instead of moving to Afghanistan like you been planning. Suddenly, 15 months later not only are you elected, you are a Cabinet Minister (responsible for "Democratic Institutions") and tasked with what ? Leading the push to change Canada's electoral system !

 

Canada even has leaders (or candidates for leadership) of main political parties that openly hold dual citizenship. Makes you wonder, if they became the PM and Canada ended up in say, a trade dispute or some legal issue with the other country that the PM is also a citizen of, whose side is he going to take ? It wouldn't really even matter because both sides would probably claim that person's judgement was biased because of conflicting loyalties.
 

Could you imagine if the USA let dual citizen (or immigrants) run for President ? Arnie would have probably won and become "President Terminator" or "Presidentator" (Terminator or Predator) instead of the "Governator".

You know for sure that Trump doesn't have Russian citizenship?

[Scott]

Post in all caps has been removed.  

 

From the forum Netiquette:

 

1. Please do not post in all capital letters, bold, unusual fonts, sizes or colors. It can be difficult to read.

[tonbridgebrit]

Okay, should Australians with dual nationality be allowed to go into politics ?

How about this, it should depend on the Australian's other nationality ?


So, if a person is Australian, and also has a New Zealand passport, well, that's okay, let them be in parliament. And Australians who also have British or Canadian citizenship, that's also okay. But those Australians who have also got an American passport, well, that gets a bit dodgy. What if the politician has got Australian and Italian citizenship ? Even more dodgy than American citizenship. And those Australians with Greek or German citizenship, they're on the same level as the Italians.

Those with Australian citizenship, and who also have a passport from places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, the answer should be "no, they will not be allowed to sit in parliament".
And those who also have passports from places like China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, these people, "definitely, no way, no way should they be allowed to sit in parliament as politicians".

Yes, this sums it up. If you're Australian, it depends where your other passport is from.

(Please note, the above has been written with humour. But let's get real, most people do actually feel this way) .