The Deputy PM is ineligible to be in parliament, and that's not a big thing? Joyce becomes Acting PM whenever Turnbull is out of the country... and he's not eligible to be in parliament. You don't think that's important?
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- Sep 30, 2014
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Because of an administration oversight not because he killed a kitten or used public/member money to add to his election slush fund.
If he's careless enough to overlook this, what else is he getting wrong with his main job?
Deaneus!
We Await Silent Tristero's Empire
well... he is a politician
It's easy to tell when a politician is lying... Their lips are moving.
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That's a silly position to have though. He probably forgot to put the bins out one night as well.
(although I fear I posted the exact same comment about the Greens a few weeks back!)
Failure to put out the bins isn't illegal according to the Australian Constitution.
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not really "illegal" is it. It's just having to do something but not because of other priorities.
It puts him in breach of the Australian Constitution... a document which is fundamental to our democracy, and which you seem to think is optional (take it or leave it, depending on the whims of your beloved Liberal party). It's not optional, it's the cornerstone of our democracy.
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George Brandis showed true leadership today. Well played. As for Pauline.....par for the course.
First time I've ever had any respect for anything Brandis has done.
Kudos to Brandis for doing the right thing on this occasion.
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It is a piece of law and like all law is open to interpretation, which is why matters get referred to and adjudicated by the High Courts. The constitution states if you are a citizen of a foreign state you can't be an MP. The High Court has then adjudicated a "reasonable steps" principle of that. For example if an MP went through the process of renouncing their overseas citizenship, but they was not processed by the other country, then that is "reasonable steps" and that person can continue as an MP.
And fair enough.
But the Constitution says if you are a citizen of a foreign state, you can't be an MP.
So which is it?
Reasonable steps, or the Constitution is fundamental to our democracy, bla bla bla?
I know your answer. Yes, but reasonable steps, how can you hold someone to account when theyve done all that is in their power to do.
Thats what the High Court is to adjudge.
You agree with me that there is a line of interpretation (despite "fundamental to our democracy" - you've given me the yeah, but defence)
All we are arguing about is where that line is.
Herein lies the problem for Baaanaby - he hadn't "done all that is in their power to do". He didn't even take the basic first step of checking to see if he was a dual citizen.
He's taken "reasonable steps" now, regardless of how long it takes the NZ government to process his renunciation. He hadn't taken those steps before he nominated for the 2015 election. He hadn't taken any steps at all.
** I do accept your argument that the constitution, like all Law, is subject to interpretation by the courts - that's the whole reason for the High Court's existence.
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I do love that it happened to Baaaanaby. Couldn't have planned it better if they tried.
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Politics in Australia...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...lled-complete-dictator-by-john-darley/8817462
John Darley quits NXT to avoid expulsion, describes Nick Xenophon as 'a complete dictator'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-...lled-complete-dictator-by-john-darley/8817462
John Darley quits NXT to avoid expulsion, describes Nick Xenophon as 'a complete dictator'
Rusty Crow
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She should hook up with Dick Smith, just as well for us they would be past breeding age.
Deaneus!
We Await Silent Tristero's Empire
Life comes at you pretty fast
Xylophone is a fraud, absolute glass jaw that stands for nothing. At least the tories believe in something bigger than the man in the mirror.
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So what's the problem? Isn't the relevant issue whether Barnaby is a dual Aust/NZ citizen rather than how and by whom the facts were revealed?
With the Libs it's all deflection, rather than accepting the result of their own inaction. Complete lack of integrity on display by the Government on this issue.
And it now turns out that Mr X may also be a UK citizen. He renounced his Greek citizenship, but didn't realise he was also a British Citizen into the bargain. He's now been added to the list of MPs being examined by the High Court.
To be honest, I don't mind the MPs and Senators not resigning until the High Court has decided on their eligibility (expected to happen next week). However, they should be forced to stand down from any ministerial positions, and abstain from any votes, until the High Court makes its decision. The Greens were probably a bit hasty in resigning straight off the bat - they showed integrity by doing so, but it may (however unlikely) turn out that their resignations were unnecessary.
** Full credit to Canavan, who did exactly the right thing - resigning from the ministry, and abstaining from voting in the Senate, while he waits for the High Court to hear his case. It's a pity that Baaaanaby and Nash don't have the same integrity.
To be honest, I don't mind the MPs and Senators not resigning until the High Court has decided on their eligibility (expected to happen next week). However, they should be forced to stand down from any ministerial positions, and abstain from any votes, until the High Court makes its decision. The Greens were probably a bit hasty in resigning straight off the bat - they showed integrity by doing so, but it may (however unlikely) turn out that their resignations were unnecessary.
** Full credit to Canavan, who did exactly the right thing - resigning from the ministry, and abstaining from voting in the Senate, while he waits for the High Court to hear his case. It's a pity that Baaaanaby and Nash don't have the same integrity.
MattyB_76
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Can anyone tell me, when a person is born in Australia to a NZ parent, hypothetically ... let's call them Barnaby, would the NZ govt be told that his father had a child? How would the NZ Govt even know?
With regard to a person who is born in NZ and then migrates, let's call him Scott, it would be obvious as the NZ hospital would have a record.
With regard to a person who is born in NZ and then migrates, let's call him Scott, it would be obvious as the NZ hospital would have a record.
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It's become farcical, all Federal Parliamentarians should be made to volunteer for a complete audit of their citizenship status or be expelled. Get it over and done with for once and for all.
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Make it a preselection requirement too so we don't have half a dozen pollies referred to the High Court
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