Abetz calls for audit to end citizenship saga

LIBERAL senator Eric Abetz has broken ranks with the Turnbull Government and backed an audit of all politicians’ eligibility.

Senator Abetz is one of a number of Tasmanian federal representatives to back an audit to test the possibility of dual citizenship in the wake of the disqualification of five senators and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.

Senate President Stephen Parry resigned this week after British Home Office authorities confirmed he was a British citizen because his father was born there.

Senator Abetz said an audit was what the Australian people deserved.

“The unfortunate situation that has seen seven MPs referred to the High Court, and the situation with Stephen Parry, does suggest that there needs to be some type of audit or consideration to ensure that the integrity of the Parliament is maintained,” he said.

Greens senator Nick McKim said: “We have consistently called for an audit of the citizenship status of all MPs. In fact, it was our idea.”

Denison MP Andrew Wilkie also backed an audit.

Liberal senator David Bushby said he did not want to see a process which would impose a reverse onus of proof because it flew in the face of the principle that people should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

“Nonetheless, I acknowledge the need for certainty and, as such, repeat my view that all parliamentarians should thoroughly assess their citizenship and come forward with any issues,” he said.

The Mercury asked all Tasmanian senators and MPs for an assurance that they were not dual citizens as doubts continued about whether Braddon Labor MP Justine Keay had complied with the letter of the law.

Ms Keay was born in Tasmania, but obtained British citizenship in 2004.

She said the British Home Office acknowledged receipt of her renunciation document on May 31, 2016 — nine days before the closure of nominations on June 9, 2016. (the date when renunciation has to have been achieved).

Ms Keay, however, has chosen not to publicly reveal the British renunciation document.

“I renounced my British citizenship prior to nominating for election as the member for Braddon in the House of Representatives,” she said.

She said she had taken all reasonable steps to renounce British citizenship before nominations for the 2016 federal election officially closed on June 9 last year.

Senator McKim said: “I renounced my United Kingdom citizenship in August 2015, prior to the Tasmanian Parliament nominating me to the Senate.”

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said that although he was born in Singapore to Tasmanian parents, he was never a Singaporean citizen.

Senator Abetz was born in Germany but renounced his German citizenship in December, 1974, before entering Parliament.

In a statement to the Senate in 2010, Senator Abetz said he had written to German authorities in 1992 to clarify his position that he had renounced his citizenship in 1974.

Liberal senator David Bushby said he had reviewed his ancestry and had found nothing that may trigger citizenship rights in another country.

Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam said he had triple checked and was confident that he was “true blue”.

Labor senator Anne Urquhart said she was absolutely certain of her sole Australian citizenship

A spokesman said Labor senator Catryna Bilyk was confident she was not a dual citizen.

A spokeswoman for Jacqui Lambie said Senator Lambie was certain of sole Australian citizenship.

Labor senator Lisa Singh said the Labor Party had discovered her British citizenship, which she renounced, before standing for the Senate in 2010.

Bass MP Ross Hart said both parents were born in Tasmania and there was no possibility he was a dual national despite having a grandmother born in London.

A spokesman Mr Wilkie said: “Andrew is not a dual citizen.”

Franklin MP Julie Collins said:“I am confident that I adhere to section 44 as the ALP has such a rigorous process. “

Lyons MP Brian Mitchell said that although born in England with English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish blood, he had renounced UK citizenship before the 2016 election.

Labor senator Helen Polley could not be contacted.

Greens senator Nick McKim