Australia PM in minority after 2nd deputy quits in citizenship row
>> SYDNEY: Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lost his grip on parliament when another of his coalition’s MPs resigned yesterday, the latest victim of a constitutional crisis over politicians who hold dual citizenship.
Former tennis star John Alexander, who represents a Sydney district for Mr Turnbull’s Liberal Party, announced he was resigning after being unable to determine if he had inherited UK citizenship from his immigrant father.
His resignation followed an
Oct 27 ruling by Australia’s High Court that forced five other politicians to quit parliament because they had fallen afoul of a previously obscure constitutional rule that bars dual citizens from sitting in the Senate or lower house.
The five included deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, leader of the rural-based National Party, which rules in a coalition with the Liberals.
When parliament convenes on Monday without Mr Alexander, Mr Turnbull will control only 74 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives, with the opposition Labour Party holding 69. Minor parties and independents fill the remaining seats.
Labour front bencher Tony Burke vowed yesterday to heap pressure on the government by pushing legislation opposed by Mr Turnbull’s coalition but supported by independents.
“As of today, no matter which way you look at it on the floor of parliament, this is now government without a majority. It’s a prime minister without authority,” he said. Mr Turnbull brushed aside the likelihood of a no-confidence vote or setback on key legislation. “There is no question of that happening,” he said in Danang, Vietnam, where he was attending a regional summit.
In announcing his resignation, Mr Alexander said the High Court ruling had forced him to examine his own citizenship status, even though he was born in Australia.
Mr Alexander will now have to run in a by-election in Sydney’s Bennelong district to return to parliament, and that race is expected to be competitive.
Mr Joyce similarly needs to run for re-election in his Queensland constituency next month, though he is heavily favoured.
The dual citizenship rule was originally inserted into the 1901 constitution to ensure parliamentarians were loyal solely to Australia.
However, critics say it is out of step with the modern reality of the country, where 50% of the population are either foreign-born or the children of immigrants.