DPM sacked over nationality
SYDNEY: The Australian government was thrown into turmoil yesterday after losing its one-seat majority with the nation’s deputy prime minister kicked out of parliament over his dual citizenship.
Barnaby Joyce was among seven politicians embroiled in a crisis after falling afoul of a previously obscure constitutional rule that bars dual citizens from sitting in parliament.
The High Court ruled he was ineligible, meaning a by-election for his lower house seat of New England in New South Wales state will be held on Dec 2.
The court move reintroduced uncertainty into a political landscape that has been turbulent in recent years, with four different prime ministers serving since 2013.
“The decision of the court today is clearly not the outcome we were hoping for but the business of government goes on,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in Canberra after the ruling was handed down.
Mr Joyce, the leader of the rural-based National Party, is Australian-born but found out in August he automatically acquired New Zealand citizenship through his father.
He told reporters in Tamworth, a city in his New England seat, that he was “always prepared for this outcome”.
“I had no reason to believe that, you know I was a citizen of any other country than Australia.
“That is the way it is ... Now I am going to make sure that I don’t cry in my beer.”
The 50-year-old has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, allowing him to run in the by-election.
Independent MP Cathy McGowan said in a statement she would “continue to supply confidence and support to the government”, giving the coalition room to breathe in the lower House of Representatives.
The deputy’s position is expected to be kept vacant ahead of the by-election, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop set to take on the duties if Mr Turnbull travels overseas.
Mr Turnbull said he was referring the ruling to a parliamentary committee to consider whether there should be constitutional changes.