Push to check Keay’s status

BRADDON MP Justine Keay has vowed not be bullied by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over his threat to refer Labor MPs to the High Court to confirm their citizenship status.

And Ms Keay said she would not refer herself to the High Court, saying it would be a huge waste of taxpayers’ money.

“We already know there is no case — we have legal advice from one of Australia’s leading QCs that says that,” she said.

Her defiant statement came as the Federal Government and Opposition shadow boxed around the issue yesterday.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor wanted tougher disclosure and sooner disclosure — by December 1 rather than Mr Turnbull’s date of December 8.

He said the later date would have meant the last sitting of Parliament for the year would have to be extended.

“We are not ruling out anyone going to the High Court, let’s just get all the fact on the table,” he said.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “If there are Labor MPs with citizenship issues that we have enough evidence to refer them to the High Court and Labor doesn’t intend to co-operate, we will refer them without Labor’s support.”

Ms Keay admitted yesterday that referral “is the only step to really put an end to all this and completely clarify it”

Three other Labor MPs Susan Lamb, Madeleine King and Josh Wilson, and Nick Xenophon Team member Rebekha Sharkie, may have difficulties with the timing of their renunciation.

On the Coalition side, Bennelong MP John Alexander is seeking information about his possible dual citizenship while Julia Banks has categorically denied ever having dual citizenship.

Ms Keay was preselected by Labor as the candidate in June 2015 but did not post the necessary form to the British Home Office until May 13, 2016. She received confirmation of renunciation on July 11 — more than a month after the June 9 cut-off when nominations closed.

Ms Keay conceded that the renunciation could have been done sooner but that it was the only link to her late father.

“I did what was needed to be done. I ensured the UK Home Office received the renunciation letter before nominations closed — we have proof of that with a receipt from the UK Home office,” she said. “Unfortunately, it’s up to them about how quickly it’s processed.

Liberal senator Eric Abetz called on Ms Keay refer herself to the High Court.

“Now that we’ve got this High Court decision, it is up to Justine to have herself referred to the High Court,” he said.

“Justine tells the people of Braddon and Tasmania that she has got nothing to hide, but then refuses to show the documentation.”