‘To lose one senator is unfortunate; to lose two looks like carelessness’

AS Larissa Waters tearfully resigned, the Twitterati took the opportunity to drag some other pollies into the mess.

AS Larissa Waters tearfully resigned as deputy Greens leader, the Twitterati was wishfully thinking some of its least-liked pollies might also fall victim to a citizenship scandal.

At the top of the list was former PM Tony Abbott — despite Abbott confirming when challenged by New Zealand born Senator Derryn Hinch that he has not been a British citizen since 1993, the year before he entered parliament.

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Has anyone checked Tony Abbott's citizenship? @JulianBurnside @TurnbullMalcolm #yourewelcome #auspol https://t.co/gp3jX4Sbj6

— Tanya McCulloch (@TanyaMcCulloch) July 18, 2017

FYI rumour mongers: I renounced my UK citizenship in 1993 and here's the proof: pic.twitter.com/tHAeJeqo5T

— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 14, 2017

The there were those unhappy about the newly-elevated Peter Dutton and hoped he might have a ghost in his citizenship closet, on the same day he was given control of a new home affairs super ministry announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Is there any, ANY chance Dutton was secretly born someplace else (eg Mordor) #auspol

— Sarah Kendell (@sarahkendell) July 18, 2017

PLEASE tell me Peter Dutton was born overseas and hasn't realized he is a dual citizen. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. #auspol

— New and improved (@InsaneIntrovert) July 18, 2017

Others were wondering if losing two Senators was the end of it for the Greens.

#auspol Does anyone know if Nick Mckim is a dual citizen

— Teddy the Nerdy (@DeadSetPanda) July 18, 2017

Although many noted, that losing one was bad enough. Two was ridiculous.

Second Greens senator to quit https://t.co/d4uLlOkMDD
To lose 1 senator is unfortunate; to lose 2 looks like carelessness (apols. to Wilde)

— Julian Burnside (@JulianBurnside) July 18, 2017

Do you hold citizenship other than Australian? #auspol

— Joel Bell (@hausfilms) July 18, 2017

#RichardDiNatale Checks to see if he has renounced his citizenship of Westeros. #auspol Hilarious!

— MLo (@MLoParis) July 18, 2017

Many were praying the politicians who peeved them most would make a mistake similar to Waters’.

Early birthday wish: Abetz, Cormann, Dutton, Ley, Turnbull, Brandis et al ALL discover they're ineligible under s44 #auspol #birthdaywish

— Another Smith (@NoLongerVerbose) July 18, 2017

Somebody get digging and uncover that Malcolm Roberts is a dual citizen PLEASE #auspol

— Mitchell (@mitchelltwk) July 18, 2017

YOU’RE A DUAL CITIZEN, YOU’RE A DUAL CITIZEN, EVERYONE IS A DUAL CITIZEN!! #auspol pic.twitter.com/jGjH0Ib4jm

— Rhys Drury (@rhysgdrury) July 18, 2017

Meanwhile major parties, Pauline Hanson, and a swag of individual politicians were publicly declaring all their senators had been properly elected.

One Nation can confirm none of its Senators have dual citizenships. After Heather Hill steps were taken to ensure there would be no repeats.

— Pauline Hanson (@PaulineHansonOz) July 18, 2017

For the record, here are all the federal MPs and Senators born overseas, according to the Parliamentary Library (on March 21, 2017):

Belgium: Sen Hon. Mathias Hubert Paul Cormann

Canada: Sen Larissa Joy Waters

Egypt: Ms Anne Aly

Germany: Sen Hon. Eric Abetz

Greece: Ms Maria Vamvakinou

Iran: Sen Sam Dastyari

India: Sen Malcolm Ieuan Roberts

Italy: Mr Antonio (Tony) Zappia

Malaysia: Sen Hon. Penny Ying-Yen Wong

New Zealand: Sen Derryn Nigel Hinch, Sen Scott Ludlam

Nigeria: Hon. Sussan Penelope Ley

Singapore: Mr Ian Reginald Goodenough, Sen Peter Stuart Whish-Wilson

United Kingdom: Hon. Anthony John Abbott, Sen Hon. Douglas Niven Cameron, Hon. Paul William Fletcher, Sen Alexander McEachian Gallacher, Sen Nicholas (Nick) James McKim, Mr Brian Keith Mitchell, Hon. Brendan Patrick O’Connor, Sen Hon. Nigel Gregory Scullion, Mr Joshua (Josh) Hamilton Wilson, Ms Rebekha Che Sharkie.

Originally published as ‘To lose one senator is unfortunate; to lose two looks like carelessness’