How do you know if you're a dual citizen or not?

[amaroo]

The list is getting longer!

More high-profile politicians face serious dual citizenship questions ...

Labor’s Justine Keay, who was a British citizen, revealed early this month she only received confirmation she had renounced her citizenship after last year’s federal election. But she said she had taken “all reasonable steps” to renounce and was confident there would be no issue with her citizenship.

 

[Guvner]

How does this affect laws passed where the Senators or MP's were, in retrospect, technically disqualified from Parliament at the time?

 

[Moody]

How does this affect laws passed where the Senators or MP's were, in retrospect, technically disqualified from Parliament at the time?

Then the laws would be deemed as never existing, and therefore enforcement of those non-laws (out-laws?) would be illegal, so Johnny Depp gets to keep Baa-narby Choice and we get Pistol and Boo.

Chur.

 

[moa999]

How does this affect laws passed where the Senators or MP's were, in retrospect, technically disqualified from Parliament at the time?

No impact as I understand

 

[moa999]

Other point made on Q&A was at the time the Constitution was enacted, Australian citizenship didn't exist, everyone was a British subject.

Australian citizenship came about later (1948 Act effective Jan 1959) and initially on taking it you had to renounce any other citizenship, which further changed when dual citizenship was allowed (2002 Act)

 

[CaptJCool]

From reading through all this, doesn't seem like anyone who contributed to the thread has actually declared themselves to be a born and bred Aussie citizen.

Which I am..... my grandfather was from UK BUT my mother didn't qualify (remember those laws). Of course since 1983, I could in theory get a pr but no citizenship... other sIDE all clear.

 

[PLANT]

Ummmm simply put they broke the law due to not completing due diligence.... All should be removed and "please explain" ....... surprised is not having multiple coughs in the media over this??????

 

[Pushka]

The criteria shouldn't be this ridiculous. If at birth you were an Australian citizen then that's it. Having 'honorary' citizenship bestowed on you because of a relative's country of birth is a nonsense when determining eligibility to stand.

For those who later become an Australian citizen then renouncing that citizenship makes more sense and is under your control.

 

[seanpodge]

How does this affect laws passed where the Senators or MP's were, in retrospect, technically disqualified from Parliament at the time?

It doesn't. As soon as the governor general signs off, it's law, no matter which MPs voted for it.

Imagine if it did invalidate a law after months/years of people following it. A massive omelette (likely several, potentially conflicting) to unscramble there. Easier to just get on with it.

 

[Guvner]

Thanks for the response, seems straightforward.

Now let's hope the GG is not a dual citizen..

 

[RooFlyer]

Ummmm simply put they broke the law due to not completing due diligence.... All should be removed and "please explain" ....... surprised is not having multiple coughs in the media over this??????

Interesting view. Have 'they' broken the law?

 

[JohnK]

Oh dear. If you are an Australian citizen and have not renounced that citizenship all should be fine.

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh dear. If you are an Australian citizen and have not renounced that citizenship all should be fine.

Are you saying that you think being a dual citizen is OK, as long as you have Australian citizenship? That could lead to the possibly interesting situation of some-one being Prime Minister of two countries or PM in one, President in the other, etc

No, best that our pollies have undivided loyalties.

 

[alieninperth]

best that our pollies have undivided loyalties.

If only that were true.

I understand and completely agree with your point, perhaps this is worth a broader discussion on polly loyalty and where pressure is applied to them through a brown evelope, seat on the board, etc.

 

[RooFlyer]

.... Union donations

 

[JohnK]

Are you saying that you think being a dual citizen is OK, as long as you have Australian citizenship? That could lead to the possibly interesting situation of some-one being Prime Minister of two countries or PM in one, President in the other, etc

No, best that our pollies have undivided loyalties.

Not quite. This witch hunt on those who had no idea they were citizens of another country.

We have enough issues in politics without this mud slinging back and forth.

 

[CaptJCool]

Thanks for the response, seems straightforward.

Now let's hope the GG is not a dual citizen..

Our GG is only representing our Head of State. Whose not even an Australian Citizen - go figure!

when the constitution was laid out, they were all British citizens.

 

[Moody]

Not quite. This witch hunt on those who had no idea they were citizens of another country.

We have enough issues in politics without this mud slinging back and forth.

Baanaby should have checked before he entered parliament. He didn't.
Baanaby should have immediately confessed about his dual citizenship. He didn't.
Baanaby should have resigned his position like everyone else. He didn't.

All that being true, he has had very little mud thrown at him - just some gentle ridicule and "Please explain"s about the double standard. We did however get to see the usually sensible Foreign Affairs minister go troppo :-

Transcript: Julie Bishop's extraordinary New Zealand citizenship press conference

It is actually a mercy not to see the video of the "interview". She looked like a cross between a Rottweiler with rabies and Bronwyn Bishop.

 

[Major]

My 1st passport, which was issued in 1969, shows me as an Australian Citizen and a British Subject. Subsequent passports show Australian Citizen only

I was born in Australia, as were both parents, so no dual citizenship for me

 

[Deleted member]

One wonders how how many other countries you would need to check with to so if you're a dual citizen.
IMHO the need for checking these things should inntcat rstbqith the commonwealth Government. Because they toomhave a duty of care when it comes to ensuring all of the "functionaries " are fit and proper people. Let's face it, they do police checks on cleaning staff. So why not the full gamut on politicians ?

Baanaby should have checked before he entered parliament. He didn't.
Baanaby should have immediately confessed about his dual citizenship. He didn't.
Baanaby should have resigned his position like everyone else. He didn't.

All that being true, he has had very little mud thrown at him - just some gentle ridicule and "Please explain"s about the double standard. We did however get to see the usually sensible Foreign Affairs minister go troppo :-

Transcript: Julie Bishop's extraordinary New Zealand citizenship press conference

It is actually a mercy not to see the video of the "interview". She looked like a cross between a Rottweiler with rabies and Bronwyn Bishop.