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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/02/malcolm-turnbull-rejects-audit-mp-citizenship-status
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| Turnbull 'disappointed' Stephen Parry delayed on dual citizenship | Turnbull 'disappointed' Stephen Parry delayed on dual citizenship |
| (25 days later) | |
| Malcolm Turnbull has taken a swipe at outgoing Senate president, Stephen Parry, saying he is “disappointed” Parry delayed disclosure of his foreign citizenship issue until after the high court had decided the citizenship seven case. | Malcolm Turnbull has taken a swipe at outgoing Senate president, Stephen Parry, saying he is “disappointed” Parry delayed disclosure of his foreign citizenship issue until after the high court had decided the citizenship seven case. |
| Speaking in Israel on Wednesday the prime minister rejected calls for an audit of all MPs and senators and revealed that he had found out Parry was seeking advice about his British citizenship through the media. | Speaking in Israel on Wednesday the prime minister rejected calls for an audit of all MPs and senators and revealed that he had found out Parry was seeking advice about his British citizenship through the media. |
| On Tuesday Parry sought advice from the Home Office about whether he held British citizenship through his UK-born father. | On Tuesday Parry sought advice from the Home Office about whether he held British citizenship through his UK-born father. |
| When that advice confirmed he was a dual citizen, Parry announced his resignation on Wednesday, becoming the first Liberal to fall victim to the citizenship saga, following the disqualification of the cabinet ministers Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash. | When that advice confirmed he was a dual citizen, Parry announced his resignation on Wednesday, becoming the first Liberal to fall victim to the citizenship saga, following the disqualification of the cabinet ministers Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash. |
| “I’m disappointed Senator Parry didn’t make public this issue some time ago, quite some time ago,” Turnbull told reporters in Jerusalem. | “I’m disappointed Senator Parry didn’t make public this issue some time ago, quite some time ago,” Turnbull told reporters in Jerusalem. |
| “He chose to delay his reporting of it, he should’ve reported it much earlier and it could’ve been referred to the high court together with the other matters that were dealt with.” | “He chose to delay his reporting of it, he should’ve reported it much earlier and it could’ve been referred to the high court together with the other matters that were dealt with.” |
| The Greens and some Labor and Coalition backbenchers are now calling for an audit of all members’ citizenships to clear the air. | The Greens and some Labor and Coalition backbenchers are now calling for an audit of all members’ citizenships to clear the air. |
| But Turnbull held the line that it was the responsibility of federal politicians to dob themselves in if they were worried their citizenship status rules them ineligible to sit it parliament. | But Turnbull held the line that it was the responsibility of federal politicians to dob themselves in if they were worried their citizenship status rules them ineligible to sit it parliament. |
| “What is an audit? Does that mean somebody is going to undertake extensive genealogical research on every member of parliament and senator? Undertake extensive research into foreign laws?” he said. | “What is an audit? Does that mean somebody is going to undertake extensive genealogical research on every member of parliament and senator? Undertake extensive research into foreign laws?” he said. |
| “I expect every member and senator to take their obligation very seriously. If they feel they’re not in compliance with the constitution to say so.” | “I expect every member and senator to take their obligation very seriously. If they feel they’re not in compliance with the constitution to say so.” |
| Independent MP Andrew Wilkie told Radio National on Thursday he had regretfully joined calls for an audit because it “seems to be likely” that others are sitting in parliament while ineligible. | Independent MP Andrew Wilkie told Radio National on Thursday he had regretfully joined calls for an audit because it “seems to be likely” that others are sitting in parliament while ineligible. |
| Wilkie suggested Turnbull was unwilling to call an audit because of the Coalition’s slim lower house majority and the opposition was unwilling because it would be “hugely embarrassing” if they were wrong about no Labor MPs holding dual citizenship. | Wilkie suggested Turnbull was unwilling to call an audit because of the Coalition’s slim lower house majority and the opposition was unwilling because it would be “hugely embarrassing” if they were wrong about no Labor MPs holding dual citizenship. |
| “There’s almost a ceasefire of sorts declared between the two of them – it’s in both their self-interests not to have an audit, but of course it’s not in the public interest,” he said. “There is a deep disquiet within the community over this whole citizenship fiasco.” | “There’s almost a ceasefire of sorts declared between the two of them – it’s in both their self-interests not to have an audit, but of course it’s not in the public interest,” he said. “There is a deep disquiet within the community over this whole citizenship fiasco.” |
| Parry is widely expected to be replaced by the former minister Richard Colbeck. But Turnbull may need to play umpire over who replaces him as president. | Parry is widely expected to be replaced by the former minister Richard Colbeck. But Turnbull may need to play umpire over who replaces him as president. |
| Nationals MPs have been lobbying hard for the New South Wales senator John “Wacka” Williams to fill the role, partly in response to Turnbull putting Julie Bishop in the acting prime minister role rather than the Nationals parliamentary party leader, Nigel Scullion. | Nationals MPs have been lobbying hard for the New South Wales senator John “Wacka” Williams to fill the role, partly in response to Turnbull putting Julie Bishop in the acting prime minister role rather than the Nationals parliamentary party leader, Nigel Scullion. |
| It seems unlikely, though, with the prime minister saying the role was typically filled by a Liberal. “The Liberal party, as the larger party in the Coalition, has always chosen from its senators the president when in government.” | It seems unlikely, though, with the prime minister saying the role was typically filled by a Liberal. “The Liberal party, as the larger party in the Coalition, has always chosen from its senators the president when in government.” |
| Turnbull will arrive in Perth on Thursday evening for a regional trade conference and meeting with the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. | Turnbull will arrive in Perth on Thursday evening for a regional trade conference and meeting with the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. |
| The high court is due to instruct the Australian Electoral Commission on the replacement process for Nash, Scott Ludlam, Larissa Waters and Malcolm Roberts. It is expected the replacements will be known before the Senate resumes on 13 November. | The high court is due to instruct the Australian Electoral Commission on the replacement process for Nash, Scott Ludlam, Larissa Waters and Malcolm Roberts. It is expected the replacements will be known before the Senate resumes on 13 November. |
| The South Australian parliament will determine who replaces the retired senator Nick Xenophon on 14 November. | The South Australian parliament will determine who replaces the retired senator Nick Xenophon on 14 November. |
| Australian politics | Australian politics |
| Australian citizenship | Australian citizenship |
| Malcolm Turnbull | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Liberal party | Liberal party |
| National party | National party |
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