Australians vote in crucial by-election
SYDNEY: Voting got under way in a by-election yesterday that could have serious ramifications for the Australian government, which faces losing its majority in parliament.
The poll in the suburban Sydney seat of Bennelong was triggered by a constitutional crisis that has seen eight parliamentarians resign over a once-obscure rule barring dual citizens from federal office.
They included Bennelong MP and former tennis star John Alexander, from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s LiberalNational coalition, who stepped down after saying he was most likely a dual British citizen.
It was revealed later that he may not even be entitled to UK nationality and he is recontesting the seat against Labor’s former New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally, a popular TV news personality.
Plenty is at stake, as the government battles falling voter support and internal division.
If Keneally wins, Turnbull’s coalition would lose its one-seat majority. That means Labor could defeat the government in parliamentary votes if it has the backing of all five independents, or crossbenchers.
Polls show Alexander, who was once the world’s number eight ranked tennis player, winning seven singles titles, as a slim favourite. He has held the seat for seven years.
“People will be casting a judgment on the government, which I lead, of course,” Turnbull told reporters yesterday.
“Australia’s security, prosperity, depends on John Alexander being back as part of our government, delivering more than 1,000 jobs a day.” — AFP