Barnaby Joyce and four senators ruled ineligible in shock High Court ruling (Australia)

[canetoad]

Source: The Age

The High Court has ruled Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce ineligible to sit in Parliament due to his dual citizenship.

The result will spark a byelection in the NSW seat of New England, putting the Turnbull government's razor-thin parliamentary majority at risk.

Mr Joyce referred himself to the court on August 14 after learning he had inherited New Zealand citizenship from his father James. Dual citizens are constitutionally prohibited from serving in Federal Parliament.

Mr Joyce stayed in cabinet while the court considered his case, citing legal advice that he would be safe.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/barnaby-joyce-and-four-senators-ruled-ineligible-in-shock-high-court-ruling-20171026-gz9app.html

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This is about to make Malcolm Turnbull's government very precarious.

[sandensea]

1. His seems to be safe National Party district

(correct me if I'm wrong)

How quickly can Turnbull arrange a by-election there? Is his government at risk of a no-confidence vote in the meantime?

Thank you, canetoad.

[Ken Burch]

3. The Australian Right can be fractious, though.

Based on this link, it's possible a strong independent candidate could take the seat in a byelection:

(Look at the two-candidate preferred result):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_of_New_England

[sandensea]

6. I see. Thanks, Ken!

Here's to electoral surprises.

[canetoad]

4. Date is set

For 2nd December. Rural/farming area, so pretty sure to go to a National (Coalition) candidate. This is still breaking here, so it's a bit of a scramble.

[sandensea]

7. Great. Thanks, canetoad.

Always nice to have news from Australia from someone truly familiar with it.

It's the country I wish we could have become, really.

Thanks again!

[canetoad]

8. OT, but Barack Obama

Wanted to change three things to the Aussie way:

1. Gun control
2. Universal healthcare
3. Compulsory voting

[Ken Burch]

2. Are early elections a possibility?

n/t.

[canetoad]

5. Slim possibility

Personally, I doubt it but can only hope.

[SwissTony]

9. I'm not too sure about this dual nationality business.

I'm Scottish and Australian, but I call myself Australian. 100%. Born in Glasgow, emigrated in 1961. I'm an Aussie who just happens to have a second nationality. No big deal. I've never sought to be elected but had I done so, it would have been with the benefit of Australia in my mind.

Joyce isn't the most sympathetic figure, I know. I wish Johnny Depp's dogs had bitten him. Either that or Kyle Sandilands. Just kidding on both counts. But couldn't Joyce just renounce his Kiwi citizenship?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. He has renounced it now, and intends to stand in the by-election. But the court is being strict

and saying that since he held the New Zealand citizenship when he was last elected, that was not a valid election.