Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis does not support an audit of all parliamentarians to see if their citizenship status complies with section 44 of our constitution. At a function in Ulladulla on Thursday morning, she told the South Coast Register, “I don't think an audit should be a requirement because I don't understand how the law can supersede your rights to the country you were born in.”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is precisely this lack of understanding that has derailed or put on hold the political careers of eight parliamentarians. The High Court made it quite plain last Friday when it ruled Barnaby Joyce, Fiona Nash, Malcolm Roberts, Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters were disqualified to sit in parliament by virtue of their dual citizenship.
The law can indeed supersede your perceived rights to the country in which you were born, Mrs Sudmalis.
This week we saw another scalp taken by section 44 when Stephen Parry resigned as Senate president because he, too, was found to have dual citizenship conferred by descent.
“The High Court has made its decision, and I have to say I was surprised but I don't think subjecting parliamentarians to an audit would do anything constructive,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
We beg to differ. Over the past few months we have seen the legitimacy of the parliament fall under a cloud. We now know decisions were made and votes cast by people who had no right to stand for election in the first place.
Not only were these people ineligible, they were drawing huge salaries paid for by us, the taxpayers. Doubt is now hanging over a raft of their decisions which could face legal challenges and tie up the government for the rest of its term.
This is no way to run a country.
What would be entirely constructive is a restoration of faith in the parliament’s legitimacy and the only way to do this is by an audit. We have seen since last Friday one senator outed as a dual citizen and there’s every possibility there are more yet to come forward. Subjecting all MPs to a rigorous test of eligibility seems entirely reasonable.
These are people in positions of immense power and responsibility. They command large salaries we all pay for. At the very least we ought to be satisfied they hold those elected positions legitimately and in accordance with the constitution.
We urge Labor and the Coalition parties to do this necessary housekeeping.