Pauline Hanson calls for Susan Lamb resignation over citizenship scandal
ONE Nation leader Pauline Hanson says Bill Shorten needs to put on his “big boy pants” and take action against Queensland MP Susan Lamb over her dual citizenship.
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ONE Nation leader Pauline Hanson says federal Labor leader Bill Shorten needs to put on his “big boy pants” and take action against Longman MP Susan Lamb, as she joined a growing call for her resignation over the citizenship scandal.
It comes as the Liberals secured a surprise victory last night by announcing independent South Australian Senator Lucy Gichuhi had joined their party, giving them increased negotiating power in the upper house.
The Coalition is ramping up pressure on Ms Lamb and is understood to be intending to keep it up until she resigns or is referred to the High Court.
Ms Lamb could quickly become a political liability for her party if Labor has to regularly face down accusations about her parliamentary legitimacy.
She has not renounced her British dual-citizenship because she has been unable to secure necessary documents because she is estranged from her mother.
Labor says nothing has changed in Ms Lamb’s case and insists she passes the “all reasonable steps” test in attempting to renounce the citizenship but had been prevented from doing because to those circumstances.
Her seat is marginal, held by 1390 votes, and the LNP believes it has a good chance of winning it back, which would given them an increased majority in the House.
One Nation preferenced Labor in Longman in the 2016 election, so if it withdraws its support, it could turn the tide back towards the LNP.
Senator Hanson yesterday said Mr Shorten needed to show leadership and refer Ms Lamb to the High Court or have her resign.
“It’s time Bill Shorten put his big boy pants on and played by the rules set out in the Constitution,” she said.
“That means referring dubiously elected members to the High Court, who haven’t renounced their dual citizenship properly or have them, resign immediately and send those seats to a by-election.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last night welcomed Senator Gichuhi into the Coalition. Her new membership was announced last night at the South Australian Liberal Party state conference.
Senator Gichuhi said she switched because the Liberal Party was “closest in its core foundational values and principles to those that I aspire to in my own life”.
Originally published as Pauline Hanson calls for Susan Lamb resignation over citizenship scandal