Canavan: I’ve never seen Italian ‘vote’ form

SENATOR Matt Canavan has been listed on the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad and Italian voting forms were automatically sent to him at his mother’s address for the past 10 years.

But the rising LNP star, who resigned from Cabinet on Tuesday due to the dual citizenship scandal, yesterday reiterated he has never received or even viewed a ballot.

The Gold Coast-born Senator this week revealed his mother, also born in Australia but of Italian decent, had signed him up for Italian citizenship.

He said she made the application in 2006 when she herself applied for citizenship, but without his consent or knowledge while he was aged 25.

The validity of the citizenship will be tested in the High Court – and there is potential precedent to suggest a person must “accept or acquiesce” to foreign citizenship to be ruled ineligible.

People listed on the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad are automatically sent voting forms for elections. It is understood the forms were sent to his mother’s address.

The most recent Italian election was held in February 2013 and prior to that in 2008 and 2006.

A spokesman for Senator Canavan said he has not voted in an Italian election, never received or viewed any ballot papers.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce yesterday said Senator Canavan had discussed Italian citizenship with his mother in 2005, but had never signed any form.

“From what has been conveyed to me, he had no interest in becoming an Italian citizen,” he said.