More Greens citizenship queries
GREENS leader Richard Di Natale is racing to produce proof he has properly renounced his Italian citizenship after two of his deputies were forced to resign after failing to conduct sufficient checks.
Earlier this week deputy Greens leader Larissa Waters quit parliament over a citizenship issue, days after Scott Ludlam also resigned for the same reason.
Ms Waters was born in Canada, but moved to Australia at a young age. She still holds dual citizenship.
Under the constitution, a person who is a foreign national cannot be elected.
Senator Di Natale’s office has said he renounced his citizenship a decade ago, before his election in 2010.
Senator Nick McKim says he gave up his UK citizenship in 2015 before taking up a position with the Greens after the departure of Christine Milne.
“Both Senator Richard Di Natale and Senator Nick McKim renounced their citizenship before they stood for election and can provide documentary evidence when they receive it from the appropriate officials,” a Greens spokeswoman said.
Former prime minister Tony Abbott, who has released a letter showing he renounced his British citizenship in October 1993, says the law has been clear for many years and there are “no excuses”.
“It is part of the constitution and frankly, if we were going to change the constitution, this wouldn’t be my first priority,” Mr Abbott said.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said while he felt for the two former senators, Australians would be right to question what was going on with the Greens.
“Are they ready to be serious political operators? Are they up for the job?” Mr Shorten said.