Given him the arse too, from Barnaby Joyce:
Last Thursday afternoon, the New Zealand High Commission contacted me to advise that on the basis of preliminary advice from the department of internal affairs which had received inquiries, considered that I could be a citizen of New Zealand by descent.
Needless to say, I was shocked about this. I’ve always been an Australian citizen born in Tamworth. Neither my or my parents had any reason to believe that I may be a citizen of any other country.
I was born in Australia in1967 to an Australian mother and I think I’m fifth generation. My father was born in New Zealand, came to Australia in 1947 as a British subject. In fact, we were all British subjects at this time.
The concept of New Zealand-Australian citizenship was not created until 1948. Neither my parents nor I had ever applied to register me as a New Zealand citizen. The New Zealand Government has no record of registering me as a New Zealand citizen.
The government has taken legal advice from the Solicitor-General. On the basis of the Solicitor-General’s advice, they’re of the firm view that [I] will not be found to be disqualified by the operation of section 44.1 of the constitution of serving as a member for New England.
However, to provide clarification to this very important area of the law, for this and future Parliaments, I have asked the government to refer the matter in accordance with Section 376 of the Commonwealth electoral act to the High Court sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns.
Given the strength of the legal advice the government has received, the prime minister has asked that I remain deputy prime minister and continue my ministerial duties.
Out you go, mate.
We can’t have dual citizens running the place when our external relations are entering an unprecedented state of flux.
The principle of sovereignty must be protected.
