Citizenship scandal: Greek, Italian MPs could be first under threat as Turnbull forces parliamentarians to disclose documents

MALCOLM Turnbull’s colleagues fear his move to defuse the MP citizenship debacle may backfire causing by-elections that will destroy the Coalition government.

Prime Minister Turnbull admits there could be more dual citizens currently sitting in Parliament. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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MALCOLM Turnbull’s colleagues fear his move to defuse the MP citizenship debacle may backfire causing by-elections that will destroy the Coalition government.

Cabinet ministers last night expressed concerns MPs of Italian and Greek could be first under threat after the Prime Minister’s decision to force parliamentarians to disclose all citizenship documents.

The Daily Telegraph understands Mr Turnbull expressed a view that Labor and the media were trawling through the citizenship information of Liberal MPs anyway, so it would be better for politicians to make a declaration considered sacrosanct and stand by it.

Publicly, Mr Turnbull made the extraordinary admission he suspects further dual citizens are currently sitting in Parliament.

Prime Minister Turnbull admits there could be more dual citizens currently sitting in Parliament. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

“There may well be a number of line-ball cases and it may be that they end up in the High Court,” he said.

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“We need to ensure, especially now the High Court has clarified (the matter), we need to be absolutely satisfied that every member is taking their obligations very solemnly and seriously.”

Senior Liberal sources told The Daily Telegraph the government was most concerned about the prospect of MPs with Italian and Greek descent being ruled ineligible and then losing by-elections.

Those with British parents, who have not renounced any dual citizenship, also face disqualification from the Parliament following the decision made in respect to former Deputy Nationals Leader Fiona Nash.

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Julia Banks whose father was born in Greece did not answer questions about whether he siblings held Greek citizenship. Picture: AAP Image/Mal Fairclough

Senator Peter Georgiou also have parents from Greece. Picture Gary Ramage

Liberal MP for Bennelong and former tennis champion John Alexander, expected to retire at the next election, may be ruled ineligible because his father, Gilbert Alexander, was a British citizen.

Liberal MP Julia Banks’ father was born in Greece and citizenship may have been conferred to her by descent. Ms Banks did not respond to questions about whether her siblings hold Greek citizenship.

Liberals Alex Hawke and Arthur Sinodinos and One Nation senator Peter Georgiou also have parents from Greece and could be entitled to dual citizenship, while Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou was born in Greece but has said she renounced her citizenship formally in 2000.

The politicians of Italian descent include Cory Bernardi, Liberal MP Tony Pasin and Labor MP Tony Zappia.

Other MP’s in question include Penny Wong. Picture Kym Smith

As well as Cory Bernadi. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Other MPs facing questions over their citizenship include Liberals Ann Sudmalis, Jason Falinski, Labor politicians Penny Wong, Tanya Plibersek, Katy Gallagher, David Feeney, Susan Lamb and Bert van Manen.

Mr Turnbull’s plan is for all MPs to disclose details of their parents and grandparents’ birth, and to publish renunciation documents if they held foreign citizenship. It was an idea Mr Turnbull developed himself and presented to Cabinet.

Politicians will have 21 days after the resolution passes to make the necessary declarations. If MPs lie they could face prison for six months.