SA Liberal Senate preselection process for Alex Antic could affect sitting parliamentarians

CITIZENSHIP issues that have rocked the South Australian Liberal Senate preselection process also have the potential to torpedo sitting federal parliamentarians.

• July 28 by-elections date upsets Labor
• Daniel Wills: Voters in Mayo could get two elections in a year

CITIZENSHIP issues that have rocked the South Australian Liberal Senate preselection process also have the potential to torpedo sitting federal parliamentarians.

The Liberal state executive is understood to be seeking legal advice on whether nominee Alex Antic has inherited Serbian citizenship.

It has delayed the already bitter battle for Senate preselection despite the Adelaide City councillor having a letter from the Serbian embassy stating he did not hold citizenship.

Adelaide City Councillor Alex Antic is a state Liberal Senate nominee.

Embassy letters have been used by more than a dozen federal MPs – both Liberal and Labor – on the parliamentary citizenship register as proof they are not a dual citizen, which would otherwise rule them ineligible under Section 44 of the Constitution.

But The Advertiser understands a higher bar is being set for new candidates to ensure the next parliament is not embroiled in another citizenship saga. The decision is set to reignite debate on whether sitting MPs are really in the clear.

As recently as this month, WA Labor MP Anne Aly produced a letter from the Egyptian embassy to clear her of suggestions she is a dual citizen, while NSW Liberal MP Jason Falinski relied on similar advice from the Polish Ambassador.

University of Sydney constitutional law professor Anne Twomey said the existing parliament may have to take the view that a letter from an embassy was enough proof but it was unlikely to satisfy a court.

“It doesn’t have any particular legal standing, it’s just an indication from an embassy,” she said.

A feud has broken out within SA Liberal ranks as moderates have lined up to back the current elected senators Anne Ruston, David Fawcett and Lucy Gichuhi, who herself has used a letter from the Kenyan embassy as proof she was not a dual citizen.

Right-wingers behind Mr Antic’s run believe there is a need for new blood and hoped he would secure the second spot on the ticket.

It would push down fellow conservative senators Fawcett and Gichuhi, who have already been contacting members for support.

The Candidate Review Committee is understood to have recommended Mr Antic be approved but the moderate-controlled state executive decided to seek further advice.

It follows the Mayo preselection contest where two nominees were ruled out for being dual citizens.