Citizenship fiasco: Senator Katy Gallagher refers herself to High Court

KATY Gallagher will be referred to the High Court over her dual citizenship despite insisting she is eligible for parliament, and will stand aside from her frontbench role.

LABOR senator Katy Gallagher has become the first in the Opposition to be referred to the High Court, capitulating after months of repeated declarations her citizenship status was clear.

Senator Gallagher has also stood aside from her shadow ministerial responsibilities while her eligibility to sit in the Senate is considered.

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Senator Gallagher was a British citizen at the time of the last election, with the Home Office not confirming her renunciation till after nominations had closed.

“While I do not agree for the need of this referral, I do not resent it,” Senate Gallagher told the Senate this morning.

“The success and standing of the Australian Senate is bigger than all of us and should be focused solely on what we are able to deliver together for the Australian people.”

The move will heap more pressure on Labor to refer Justine Keay and Josh Wilson, two MPs who are in the same situation relating to the renunciation of their British citizenship.

This morning Labor frontbenchers repeatedly contradicted each other about the possibility they would refer Coalition parliamentarians to the High Court over their citizenship queries.

Penny Wong suggesting it was unlikely Industry Minister Arthur Sinodinos would be referred and Ed Husic downplayed any chance of referring Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg after shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus pointed to both as candidates for referral.