Bill Shorten should produce citizenship evidence, Turnbull says

The PM says it’s clear Bill Shorten inherited UK citizenship, and he should prove that he has renounced it.

Malcolm Turnbull says Bill Shorten should produce documents that confirm his citizenship. Picture: AAP

Malcolm Turnbull says it is “perfectly clear” that Bill Shorten inherited UK citizenship, saying he doesn’t understand why the Opposition Leader won’t produce the documents proving he renounced the dual citizenship before entering parliament.

The Prime Minister said the decision not to release any documentation was in keeping with Mr Shorten’s track-record on transparency and pointed to Labor’s decision to oppose the government’s legislation on corrupting benefits which would outlaw any secret payments between businesses and unions.

“The position with citizenship and (so far as) Mr Shorten’s papers are concerned is that, to be honest, I don’t why he doesn’t produce the documentation,” Mr Turnbull said. “It’s perfectly clear that he inherited UK citizenship by descent through his father.”

“That’s not in issue. He’s said he renounced it but he doesn’t want to produce one sheet of paper. It’s up to him whether he wants to do it. But this is a guy who is not known for transparency.”

“It’s not just in respect of citizenship matters. He does not believe that members of his union - the AWU - are entitled to know when their union or their union officials are getting payments from business. Now that tells you a lot about his character.”