Turnbull’s majority at risk as deputy admits ‘I’m a Kiwi’
MALCOLM TURNBULL, Australia’s prime minister, faces an uncertain future after it emerged yesterday that his deputy leader, Barnaby Joyce, is a New Zealand citizen and may be dismissed from parliament.
Mr Joyce, best known internationally for his threat to kill the pet dogs of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, became the latest victim of the nation’s dual citizenship crisis after revealing he may be a New Zealander via his father, who moved to Australia in 1947.
Mr Joyce was born in Australia in 1967 but – as New Zealand authorities confirmed – he automatically gained citizenship through his father.
This means that Mr Joyce could be ineligible to be an MP under section 44 of Australia’s constitution, which disqualifies candidates if they are a citizen of a foreign country.
The development could cost Mr Turnbull his one-seat majority in the House of Representatives and require him to depend on the support of independent MPS. This could force Mr Turnbull to call an election.
Mr Joyce said he was “shocked” to learn he might be a New Zealander but refused calls to resign, despite two Greens MPS resigning last month after learning they dual citizenship. He said he had referred the matter to the high court and had been asked by Mr Turnbull to stay on until his fate was decided.
“Neither I nor my parents have ever had any reason to believe I may be a citizen of another country,” he said.
In recent weeks, queries have been raised about many of Australia’s 226 MPS after it emerged that they may unwittingly be citizens of foreign countries. Mr Joyce, leader of the rural-based National party, the junior partner in the ruling conservative coalition, is the most senior MP so far to be embroiled in the crisis.