No place for protection racket in dual citizenship saga
Posted December 06, 2017
The Federal Government has chosen to play politics today by voting down an opportunity to pursue a bipartisan solution to the dual citizenship saga, Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie said.
Rebekha, who asked the Opposition to add her name to Labor’s High Court referral motion, said the Australian public deserved to have the dual citizenship issue dealt decisively and across all sides of politics.
“The Australian people are tired of the ongoing saga the dual citizenship issue has become,” she said.
“The best way forward, so that we can hold our heads high in our communities when we are there on Monday, is for all of us to work together in a bipartisan nature and to make sure that every person under a cloud goes to the High Court.
“This is why I am so disappointed that this Government has chosen to play political games by firstly refusing to countenance Cross Bench offers to take a united approach to clear the air, then voting down Labor’s motion to refer MPs of all sides.
“This cannot be a place for a protection racket of the highest order, and that is what the Australian community witnessed today.
“This deliberate decision to take the low road will only extend this saga and turn it into a fiasco, causing further harm to the reputation of our political system.
“I have always been open and transparent about my citizenship status and I have fully and willingly complied with the declaration of citizenship process.
“I am confident that I have complied with Section 44 (1) of the Constitution, and the legal opinions I have received from eminent experts in Australia and the UK have advised that I have taken all reasonable steps within my power to renounce my entitlement to UK citizenship prior to my nomination and election.
“I do not believe I should be referred to the High Court. However, if the Government is prepared to take a fair and inclusive approach, I am prepared to add my name to a bipartisan list of referrals.
“In the meantime I will continue working hard, seven days a week, to deliver for the people of Mayo."
Labor's Motion to Refer Matters to the Court of Disputed Returns
Mr Burke (Manager of Opposition Business), moved—That pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the House of Representatives refer the following questions to the Court of Disputed Returns:
(1)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Batman (Mr Feeney) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(2)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Braddon (Ms Keay) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(3)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Fremantle (Mr Wilson) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(4)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Longman (Ms Lamb) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(5)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Mayo (Ms Sharkie) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(6)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Chisholm (Ms Banks) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(7)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Mitchell (Mr Hawke) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings;
(8)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Forrest (Ms Marino) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings; and
(9)
(a) whether, by reason of s44(i) of the Constitution, the place of the Member for Mackellar (Mr Falinski) has become vacant;
(b) if the answer to Question (a) is “yes”, by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be filled;
(c) what directions and other orders, if any, the Court should make in order to hear and finally dispose of this reference; and
(d) what, if any, orders should be made as to the costs of these proceedings.
