Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie resigns following High Court citizenship ruling against Labor’s Katy Gallagher

SOUTH Australian Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie and three Labor members have resigned from Federal Parliament in the wake of the High Court findings against Senator Katy Gallagher.

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SOUTH Australian Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie and three Labor members have resigned from Federal Parliament in the wake of the High Court findings against Senator Katy Gallagher.

Earlier on Wednesday, the High Court ruled that the Labor senator — who represents the Australian Capital Territory — is ineligible to sit in the federal parliament.

The decision prompted the Mayo MP to announce her resignation during a press conference in Canberra soon after.

“The High Court ruling in Gallagher is quite clear,” Ms Sharkie said. “Consequently, I will resign from the Australian parliament today.”

“I apologise to the people of Mayo for this turn of events and for the inconvenience a by-election will cause my community.”

In addition to Ms Sharkies’ resignation, Labor MPs Susan Lamb, Josh Wilson and Justine Keay — who had previously refused to refer themselves to the High Court — also declared they would step down.

The citizenship saga that has engulfed federal politics since last year has now claimed 15 victims in total.

A recount will now be held to determine who is likely to replace Senator Gallagher in the upper house, while by-elections will be held in the seat of Mayo, as well as Braddon in Tasmania, Longman in Queensland and Fremantle in Western Australia.

The five new victims of the citizenship saga: Labor’s Katy Gallagher, Justine Keay, Josh Wilson, Susan Lamb and Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie

Despite the ruling, Ms Sharkie says she will seek re-election and would be running as a candidate for the Centre Alliance, formerly Nick Xenophon Team.

A by-election could be held as soon as June 16, Ms Sharkie said.

However, she sensationally confirmed for the first time that she had discussions with the Liberals about rejoining the party despite having previously denied such a move.

“I don’t deny that I had conversations with the Liberal Party. I was certainly approached but I’m not interested in joining the Liberal Party and I don’t think they’re particularly interested in having me,” she said.

Georgina Downer is a likely Liberal candidate for Mayo.

However Liberal sources have told The Advertiser that Ms Sharkie had reached out to them but wavered on making a decision when they could not assure her preselection.

Sources said the state executive of the Liberal Party will meet before the end of the week to open preselection for the seat next week.

Candidates would likely have about a week to lobby members of the Mayo branch for support.

Melbourne-based political consultant Georgina Downer, the daughter of former federal Liberal leader Alexander Downer, has all but confirmed her intention to run.

Ms Sharkie said she was not fazed by the potential of facing a member one of the Adelaide Hills’ most powerful family dynasties.

“I’ve never met Georgina Downer, she’s not a local person, she doesn’t live in my community. Who knows if it’s even going to be Ms Downer but I would welcome any challenger,” Ms Sharkie said.

“I’m not going to have the money of the Liberal Party, I didn’t last time and I won’t this time but I’m local and I care.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Attorney-General Christian Porter said that Ms Sharkie’s case was “indistinguishable” to Ms Gallagher’s and demanded she resign immediately.

Manager of Government Business Christopher Pyne said the Coalition would not have used its numbers to refer the four MPs embroiled in the citizenship saga to the High Court.

“It’s just wasting more taxpayer money and more delaying,” he said.

To date, the so-called “citizenship saga” has cost Australians more than $11 million dollars in legal costs for federal MPs.

Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter and the Leader of the House Christopher Pyne called for Ms Sharkies resignation earlier on Wednesday. Picture: Lukas Coch