Dual citizenship in politics
Posted by: Nefertari
16th Aug 2017 04:03pm
Why is dual citiizenship such a big 'crime' in politics?? I refer to the recent controversy surrounding a member of parliament. He has dual citizenship because his father (not him) was born in another country and for the life of me I cannot understand why on earth this little fact should deny him the right to sit in parliament. Surely there must be more to this story ..( other than what I have heard on the news)... to cause such an uproar from other members of parliament. Our politicians should be concentrating more on the running of this country rather than wasting their time on such a trivial matter as dual citizenship!
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Comments 9
chrissy30573114
Because. there is nothing important in àustralia that needs their concern. .. Australia is going along perfectly with no unemployment health care and schools are running well ahead of the worlds syandards national debt doesn't exsist jobs are so easy to get because we have such a diverse range of job opportunities to choose from. ... ooops sorry i thought everything was running perfectly because we have enough money to have a 120 million dollars survey about same sex marriage. . Which is bringing the worst out of people. . Devidind people ... its a legal right to have the same rigjts a a traditional marriage. . Not who going to rule the world. .
Bazz
You've all missed the point. This is a very important issue. Do you have any idea just how much legislation has been passed by just 1 vote? This debate should motivate you to question your identity as Australians & the fact that we are not really a sovereign nation at all! What does the Constitution mean when it says "foreign power"? How is it logical that we disqualify politicians whose home country also swears allegiance to the very same head of state as we do? Look at Section 42 of our constitution. Every member of the Upper & Lower Houses must grovel to QE2: "I will be faithful & bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her heirs & successors, according to the Law." Then look at Section 44 which disqualifies any MP who "is under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power, or is a subject or a citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a citizen of a foreign power." So you can clearly see that our British Writers of our Constitution did NOT see neither the UK nor New Zealand, nor Canada nor any other country whose Head of State is QE2 as a "foreign power". So Fiona Nash, Malcolm Roberts & Nick X all get to keep their jobs, being traced back through British Citizenship. Similarly, Barnaby Joyce & Scott Ludlam's NZ citizenships are perfectly fine for the job they are doing. Even Larissa Walters' Canadian citizenship is quite acceptable in parliament today. How are any of these MP's home countries classed as a foreign power when no matter which of the Commonwealth of Nations they belong to all swear allegiance to the one same Queen & ultimately serve at Her Pleasure? Not until Australia becomes a Sovereign Republic can we be any more specific in defining that only those who were born here & are citizens here can serve as MPs. I dearly hope I live to see the day!
tessa
its not classified as a crime there is no penalty as such just it is in our written constitution all years ago and can only be changed by a referendum , if you wish to go into politics in the federal sphere read the rules abide by them then we wouldnt be having this conversation
bj
At one time I thought one had to be born in the county you wanted to be in that country's parliament.
Seems I was wrong, or it has changed. One can love many countries but should be true to only one.
Anonymous
This is to ensure that the senators don't introduce policies that is against national interests and to deflect foreign influence
chris01
In 1901 when it all started with our Federation, how many of our Politicians who started then had duel citizenship.
This whole matter is getting out of hand and I hope the High Court does the right thing and give those who have duel citizenship without knowing time to denounce their citizenship.
Migaloo
The biggest problem with dual citizenship is they may make decisions in parliament favouring the county they are a dual citizen with l think that is the biggest concern , like if it was China they may change a rule in their favour to own more homes in this country etc .
Migaloo
Glad to be of some help to you Nefertari,
It is a bit the same on the political donations side they take from over seas , l do not think this should be allowed with any party as l am sure it is used for bribes to change things some where in our country to suit that country that is donating this money also for their own benefit here .
Have a great day, warm regards Migaloo .
Nefertari
Thanks Migaloo for clearing that one up...I hadn't thought of that at all!