Citizen queries for candidates
FOUR of the eight Braddon candidates are yet to provide information about their eligibility, despite new rules being introduced after the dual-citizenship fiasco.
The Australian Electoral Commission introduced the checklist after the disqualification of members and senators including Tasmanians Jacqui Lambie, Stephen Parry and Justine Keay.
Ms Keay took Braddon from Liberal Brett Whiteley in 2016 with a slim margin before being forced to resign due to her dual citizenship. Mr Whiteley is hoping to win the seat back.
As of late yesterday, only Ms Keay (Labor) had provided the candidate checklist and additional documentation.
Liberal Mr Whiteley, independent Donna Gibbons and independent Craig Garland have also supplied information about their citizenship, but no additional information to the AEC.
Those yet to supply the candidate checklist or any additional information are Greens candidate Jarrod Edwards, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party candidate Brett Neal, Liberal Democrat Joshua Boag and Australian People’s Party candidate Bruno Strangio.
It’s also understood that up to 17 of the 48 candidates who will vie for seats in the other four “Super Saturday “by-elections across Australian electorates — Perth, Fremantle, Mayo and Longman — have either failed to provide documentation or refused to allow the publication of the information.
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said yesterday he expected all candidates to publish new checklists designed to make sure they’re eligible to run for parliament.
“I think it would be prudential of people to explain they’re eligible to run,” Mr Shorten said while he continued campaigning in Devonport yesterday for Ms Keay.
“We’ve seen all of the confusion. It’s common sense for the candidates to remove any doubt.”
The AEC says people seeking to nominate as a candidate may voluntarily complete the qualification checklist to help demonstrate eligibility.
Tasmanian Greens Deputy convenor Paul O’Halloran said Mr Edwards had gladly complied with all procedures required by the AEC to nominate as a candidate.
“The Tasmanian Greens and Jarrod are very confident that he is compliant under all terms of Section 44 of the constitution,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Jarrod will publish the Candidate Eligibility Checklist to alleviate any concerns over his eligibility.”
Mr Strangio said he would not fill in the checklist because he was not obliged by law to do so.
“I think they should be looking at the other 220 members of Parliament first,” he said.
Mr Neal and Mr Boag were unable to be contacted.
Section 44 of the Constitution bans from parliament people who are dual citizens, have been convicted of an offence punishable by one or more years in jail, or are an undischarged bankrupt or insolvent.
Also banned is anyone holding a public service job or who has a financial interest in a contract or other agreement with the Commonwealth public service.