australia government in turmoil after dual citizenship ruling
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Australia government in turmoil after dual citizenship ruling

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleAustralia government in turmoil after dual citizenship ruling

Barnaby Joyce was among seven politicians embroiled in a crisis after falling afoul of a previously obscure constitutional rule
Sydney - Muslimchronicle

The Australian government was thrown into turmoil Friday 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 December 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.

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 that 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.

- Constitution out of step? -

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 Turnbull travels overseas, according to local media.

Turnbull is assuming Joyce's agriculture portfolio.

If Joyce loses the by-election, the coalition could keep ruling as a minority government if it receives the support of independent MPs on budget matters and on votes of no confidence.

Of the so-called "citizenship seven", only Nationals senator Matt Canavan and independent senator Nick Xenophon were cleared for parliament.

The others, who are also upper house senators -- the Nationals' Fiona Nash, the Greens' Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam and One Nation's Malcolm Roberts -- were like Joyce also ruled ineligible.

Canavan, who left cabinet and his role as resources minister after finding his mother signed him up to Italian citizenship in his 20s, resumed the job after being sworn back in.

Xenophon is quitting the federal Senate and moving to state politics by running in South Australia's election early next year.

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 percent of the population are either foreign-born or the children of immigrants.

The government's solicitor-general had argued to the court that Joyce and four of the other seven had not breached Section 44 of the constitution as they were unaware of their overseas citizenship.

But in its judgement, the court ruled that "proof of a candidate's knowledge of his or her foreign citizenship status (or of facts that might put a candidate on inquiry as to the possibility that he or she is a foreign citizen) is not necessary to bring about the disqualifying operation".

"It is sufficient to say that in none of the references with which the court is concerned were candidates confronted by such obstacles to freeing themselves of their foreign ties."

Turnbull said he was referring the ruling to a parliamentary committee to consider whether there should be constitutional changes to reduce the risk of future breaches.

Source:AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

australia government in turmoil after dual citizenship ruling australia government in turmoil after dual citizenship ruling

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 17:35 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

Egyptian MP underlines Egypt’s ability

GMT 15:43 2011 Sunday ,15 May

US bid to save Louisiana cities

GMT 12:06 2012 Friday ,04 May

Is there a solution for Sudan?

GMT 07:43 2014 Tuesday ,12 August

Where is Assad on Gaza

GMT 07:44 2017 Tuesday ,07 February

Holding local elections requires dialogue

GMT 10:23 2016 Saturday ,16 January

Jazz parades and glittery parties

GMT 14:45 2017 Thursday ,07 September

NATO on guard ahead of major Russian war games

GMT 23:59 2011 Wednesday ,09 March

Exxon Scores Key Victory In Alaska

GMT 12:13 2011 Friday ,16 December

Beckham Style Icon for Over 50

GMT 13:53 2011 Tuesday ,28 June

De Gea confirms Manchester United offer

GMT 23:07 2012 Tuesday ,31 January

The Kardashian Sisters Topless

GMT 08:21 2011 Wednesday ,28 December

Modern rocking chair

GMT 00:52 2011 Friday ,25 November

Graffiti as art in order-conscious Singapore

GMT 04:01 2015 Tuesday ,17 February

Qatar national library to host event for children

GMT 10:18 2012 Sunday ,08 January

Mental illness 'rampant' in Somalia

GMT 07:17 2015 Monday ,02 March

Tintin set to go at Paris auctions

GMT 14:27 2017 Monday ,06 February

NATO starts anti-Daesh bomb training in Iraq

GMT 09:06 2016 Wednesday ,26 October

Canada parliament votes to take in Yazidi refugees

GMT 20:28 2017 Monday ,19 June

Deadly wildfires around the world

GMT 04:31 2017 Thursday ,16 February

Tunisian designers look to past for inspiration
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle