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The Government has been rocked after the High Court ruled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce ineligible to sit in parliament.
The High Court handed down its verdicts on the fate of seven current and former parliamentarians who have dual-citizenship.
Fiona Nash, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam were also disqualified effective immediately.
Only independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Nationals senator Matt Canavan were ruled eligible to keep their seats.
The court found that at the time of his nomination in 2016 Mr Joyce was a New Zealand citizen by descent through his father, James Joyce, who immigrated in 1947.
He will now be forced to contest a by-election in his NSW seat of New England, which Joyce expects to be held on 2 December.
He is likely to retain the seat but the government, which has a majority of just one seat, will have six weeks of anxiety and distraction.
"I was always prepared for this outcome. I do not stand here totally surprised."
Mr Joyce also offered his support to Ms Nash.
"Fiona has been so stoic during these times and has offered so much," Mr Joyce said.
"I get the chance to have a by-election but she doesnt."
Australia's constitution bans anyone holding dual citizenship from sitting in parliament, in a section aimed at ensuring MPs don't have split allegiances.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/37637802/high-court-hands-down-verdicts-on-dual-citizenship-mp-s/
The High Court handed down its verdicts on the fate of seven current and former parliamentarians who have dual-citizenship.
Fiona Nash, Malcolm Roberts, Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam were also disqualified effective immediately.
Only independent Senator Nick Xenophon and Nationals senator Matt Canavan were ruled eligible to keep their seats.
The court found that at the time of his nomination in 2016 Mr Joyce was a New Zealand citizen by descent through his father, James Joyce, who immigrated in 1947.
He will now be forced to contest a by-election in his NSW seat of New England, which Joyce expects to be held on 2 December.
He is likely to retain the seat but the government, which has a majority of just one seat, will have six weeks of anxiety and distraction.
"I was always prepared for this outcome. I do not stand here totally surprised."
Mr Joyce also offered his support to Ms Nash.
"Fiona has been so stoic during these times and has offered so much," Mr Joyce said.
"I get the chance to have a by-election but she doesnt."
Australia's constitution bans anyone holding dual citizenship from sitting in parliament, in a section aimed at ensuring MPs don't have split allegiances.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/37637802/high-court-hands-down-verdicts-on-dual-citizenship-mp-s/
