Turnbull Satisfied Coalition in the Clear After Joyce Celebrates By-Election Win
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said he is “satisfied” no more of his MPs will be forced from Parliament because of dual citizenship.
Barnaby Joyce on Saturday night won the New England by-election, called after the former deputy prime minister was disqualified from Parliament for being a dual citizen.
Coalition members will see the win as a boost for the Australian Federal Government, ahead of the Bennelong by-election on December 16.
Mr Joyce’s win will increase the Government’s numbers in the Lower House to 75, but the citizenship saga is still playing out.
Politicians will this week declare information about their citizenship and parents’ background as part of a new disclosure regime. “Based on the reports we’ve had from our members and senators, we’re satisfied there are no further issues arising from our side of the house,” Mr Turnbull told Sky News.
“There are plainly a number on the Labor side [who] should be referred to the High Court.” Labor MPs Justine Keay, Josh Wilson and Susan Lamb all have British heritage and are in doubt. Mr Turnbull has confirmed the Government will use its numbers to send Opposition MPs to the High Court.
“We can’t in good conscience fail to refer anyone … to the High Court if it is clear there are substantial grounds for believing that they are ineligible to sit in the Parliament,” he said.
“This is an acid test of [Labor leader Bill Shorten’s] integrity. “They are very likely to be found ineligible by the High Court.”