Daily Telegraph Editorial: A full audit of all MPs is essential
THIS absurd situation parliamentary dual citizenship saga must end. A full audit is now required to confirm the citizenship of all federal parliamentarians
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
ATTORNEY-General George Brandis was a confident fellow back in August, commenting on what he saw as the likelihood that Deputy Prime Minister and National Party leader Barnaby Joyce would be cleared by the High Court to remain in Parliament.
Speaking to the ABC after Malcolm Turnbull had told Parliament he expected the court to rule in Joyce’s favour, Brandis said: “The Prime Minister is a very accomplished lawyer and has practised before the High Court and knows that better than anyone.”
Well, we all know how that turned out. Joyce was compelled to step down after the court found against him, and now faces a by-election to regain his New England seat.
Nevertheless, Brandis offered an equally confident note just a few days ago on Sky TV.
“I have no reason whatever to believe that there is any other Coalition member who is in the same position as Joyce,” Brandis said.
“And it’s not as if, by the way, that this hasn’t been canvassed minutely … and nobody has found anything to suggest that any Coalition member or senator has a problem.”
Oh, there’s a problem all right.
“After the unanimous ruling handed down by the High Court of Australia on Friday last, there is now absolute clarity about the application of Section 44 of the Australian Constitution,” Parry announced.
“As a result of this I have had cause to examine my citizenship status in relation to my late father having being born in the United Kingdom.
“In the event that I am found to hold British citizenship by virtue of my father’s status, then I will clearly be in breach of Section 44(1) of the Constitution and would therefore resign as President of the Senate. I would further resign as a Senator for the State of Tasmania.”
This absurd situation must end. A full audit is now required to confirm the citizenship of all federal parliamentarians, otherwise — Brandis’s confidence notwithstanding — Australia will endure ongoing speculation over the constitutional qualifications of our representatives.
The process to undertake this is not clear, but the answer is definitely not, as Brandis suggested yesterday, to amend the Constitution. The answer is to obey the Constitution.
Beersheba defined bravery
It was one of the bravest acts in a war noted for bravery so extreme as to almost be beyond comprehension.
One hundred years ago, some 800 Australians and New Zealanders armed with bayonets charged Beersheba, defended by thousands of Turkish warriors. Against all odds and possibly against their own expectations, the Anzacs prevailed.
Their charge was later seen as a turning point in WWI — a war that cost more than 60,000 Australian lives, with 1350 being killed during the extended battle of Beersheba and the Sinai-Palestine campaign. Today and for all time we honour those soldiers. They will forever be among the very greatest Australians.
Daley, your name is on it
As thousands of NSW motorists know from personal experience, any driver caught at more than 30km/h over the posted limit earns an immediate three-month driving disqualification.
Former NSW roads minister Michael Daley introduced the demerit points system including that disqualification measure in 2009, when Labor was in power.
Yet now Daley plans to appeal against his own 30km/h penalty — claiming he was not aware of a rule he himself pushed through Parliament.
“I wasn’t aware there was a law in place to have an automatic three-month suspension for 30km or over,” the ex-roads minister said.
Should Daley require, prior to lodging his appeal, a further reminder of this law, he need only search through Hansard’s parliamentary record online. It’s all there in black and white.
And it has Michael Daley’s name on it.