Senate president Stephen Parry caught up in citizenship scandal

Stephen Parry has informed the government he believes he is a British citizen and may need to resign his position.

President of the Senate Stephen Parry has become the eighth parliamentarian to become caught up in the citizenship scandal.

Senate President Stephen Parry has informed the government he believes he is a British citizen and may need to resign his position.

The Australian can reveal Tasmanian Senator Parry — who holds one of the most senior parliamentary positions — has become the eighth MP caught up in the citizenship scandal.

The disclosure by Senator Parry will reignite demands for an audit of all MPs and Senators and fuel government fears there may be other undisclosed MPs who are also dual citizens, triggering further by-elections and destabilising the government.

The Australian has confirmed that Senator Parry sought formal advice from British authorities yesterday on whether he was a dual citizen following the High Court’s decision to rule the election of five of seven MPs ineligible under section 44(i) of the constitution.

Senator Parry, who is on a salary of $355,302, is writing to Senators this afternoon to inform them of his situation and his intention to resign as President of the Senate and leave parliament if the UK confirms he is a British citizen.

Senator Parry’s father moved to Australia from the UK in the 1950s and there are fears Senator Parry could be found to be a British citizen by descent.

Senator Parry was elected to the Senate in 2004 and won a new term at last year’s election.

Senator Parry, who turned 57 today, joined the Liberal Party in 1980.

Since being elected to the Senate, Senator Parry has been the deputy whip, chief government whip, chief opposition whip and manager of opposition business.

Senator Parry, a former Tasmanian police officer and detective, worked as a funeral director and embalmer between 1986 and 2004.

He was elevated to the role of Senate president on July 7, 2014.

In a statement released by Senator Parry this afternoon, he confirmed he had “cause to examine my citizenship status in relation to my late father having being born in the United Kingdom”.

Senator Parry said he was found to hold British citizenship – he would “clearly be in breach of Section 44” and he would resign as President of the Senate. He would also resign as a Tasmanian Senator and “not await the outcome of any referral to the High Court”.

The @australian's Paul Kelly: No one knows how many more MPs are actually dual-citizens. #auspol MORE: https://t.co/JRR02Am1Tp pic.twitter.com/k9aiexeNWs

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) October 31, 2017

“My father moved to Australia as a boy in 1951. He married my mother in 1960 and I was born that same year in Burnie. I have always regarded my late father as Australian, particularly as he undertook his national service and participated as a member of the Australian Army Reserve and voted in every Australian election since adulthood,” Senator Parry said.

“Yesterday I wrote to the British Home Office seeking clarity as to the status of my citizenship with the United Kingdom. This was the first opportunity to do so since the High Court ruling. The British Home office has sought further details from me today, which I have provided, and I await a response.

“Depending upon the outcome, I may seek further legal advice before reporting back to the Senate. In any event I will report the result of the investigation and any subsequent advice to the Senate.”

Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale said “surely the time has come for the Libs and ALP to back the Greens call for an audit of all MPs and end this crisis”.

Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz said he was “shocked” that Senator Parry was seeking advice about his citizenship.

“Senator Parry has a long and distinguished career of service to the people of Tasmania and and Australia. If he is found ineligible, his departure would be a huge loss and I am hopeful that any advice from the United Kingdom will allow him to remain in the Senate,” Senator Abetz said.

“The Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team will continue to be a strong and effective voice for Tasmanians in the Federal Parliament to advance Tasmania’s interests.”

Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek said the Turnbull government was lurching from “crisis to crisis”.

“It’s extraordinary that the President of the Senate – who oversaw several High Court referrals – did not reflect on his own eligibility until just days ago,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Mr Turnbull has shown terrible judgement throughout this sorry citizenship saga.

“Malcolm Turnbull must tell Australians whether he knew there were doubts over Senator Parry’s eligibility.”

She added the news raises questions on the Liberal Party’s vetting process.

Citizenship crisis who’s who

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SENATOR PARRY’S STATEMENT IN FULL

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. 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.

My father moved to Australia as a boy in 1951. He married my mother in 1960 and I was born that same year in Burnie. I have always regarded my late father as Australian, particularly as he undertook his national service and participated as a member of the Australian Army Reserve and voted in every Australian election since adulthood.

Yesterday I wrote to the British Home Office seeking clarity as to the status of my citizenship with the United Kingdom. This was the first opportunity to do so since the High Court ruling. The British Home office has sought further details from me today, which I have provided, and I await a response. Depending upon the outcome, I may seek further legal advice before reporting back to the Senate. In any event I will report the result of the investigation and any subsequent advice to the Senate.

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 and not await the outcome of any referral to the High Court, as I believe the High Court has made it abundantly clear what action is required.