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Josh Frydenberg denies suggestions he could be Hungarian dual citizen Josh Frydenberg denies suggestions he could be Hungarian dual citizen
(about 3 hours later)
Cabinet minister Josh Frydenberg has dismissed as “absurd” speculation that he is a dual citizen, saying his family were stateless when they arrived from Hungary after the second world war.Cabinet minister Josh Frydenberg has dismissed as “absurd” speculation that he is a dual citizen, saying his family were stateless when they arrived from Hungary after the second world war.
In response to a report in the Australian that he may have Hungarian citizenship by descent, the environment and energy minister said his grandparents and mother were stateless refugees when they arrived in Australia.In response to a report in the Australian that he may have Hungarian citizenship by descent, the environment and energy minister said his grandparents and mother were stateless refugees when they arrived in Australia.
“It’s a baseless assertion,” he told Guardian Australia. “It is absurd to think that I could involuntarily acquire citizenship of a foreign country from a stateless mother and grandparents – it invokes the North Korean example of conferring citizenship on someone against their will.”
Under Hungarian law, anyone born in the country between 1941 and 1945 is automatically a citizen, in a bid to address the plight of stateless Jews who fled the Holocaust, the Australian reported.Under Hungarian law, anyone born in the country between 1941 and 1945 is automatically a citizen, in a bid to address the plight of stateless Jews who fled the Holocaust, the Australian reported.
Frydenberg’s mother was born in Hungary in 1943 and arrived in Australia with her parents when she was seven after spending time in a refugee camp.Frydenberg’s mother was born in Hungary in 1943 and arrived in Australia with her parents when she was seven after spending time in a refugee camp.
“When my mother and her sisters and her parents entered Australia after the war their status was ‘stateless’,” he said. “It is absurd to think that I could involuntarily acquire citizenship of a foreign country from a stateless mother and grandparents.” Frydenberg said given his family background, he would be required to initiate and undertake a lengthy and formal application and interview procedure in order to be considered a Hungarian citizen. “Neither I nor anyone on my behalf has ever made such an application or engaged in such a procedure.”
Frydenberg said given his family background, he would be required to initiate and undertake a lengthy and formal application and interview procedure in order to be considered a Hungarian citizen.
“Neither I nor anyone on my behalf has ever made such an application or engaged in such a procedure.”
Dual citizenship would make him ineligible to be in parliament and threaten the Turnbull government’s slim majority.Dual citizenship would make him ineligible to be in parliament and threaten the Turnbull government’s slim majority.
It comes after Stephen Parry resigned as Senate president over his dual citizenship and amid growing calls for an audit of the citizenship status of all MPs. Finance minister Mathias Cormann defended Frydenberg on Friday, saying the dual citizenship saga was becoming ridiculous, with politicians being accused of being dual citizens “without any evidence whatsoever”.
Conservative Liberal Senator Eric Abetz is among those pushing for an audit. Treasurer Scott Morrison told a business audience on Friday morning that too much energy was being wasted on the issue.
“What we don’t want to see is every month the new allegation or suggestion made about some other member of parliament,” Senator Abetz told ABC TV. The focus on Frydenberg comes after Stephen Parry resigned as Senate president over his dual citizenship and amid growing calls for an audit of the citizenship status of all MPs.
“It is a hugely disruptive and would undermine the Australian people’s confidence in their parliament.” Conservative Liberal senator Eric Abetz is among those pushing for an audit. “What we don’t want to see is every month the new allegation or suggestion made about some other member of parliament,” Abetz told the ABC. “It is a hugely disruptive and would undermine the Australian people’s confidence in their parliament.”
Labor has so far resisted calls for an audit, but Bill Shorten is reportedly softening his stance, believing the opposition has nothing to lose and everything to gain.Labor has so far resisted calls for an audit, but Bill Shorten is reportedly softening his stance, believing the opposition has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Communications minister Mitch Fifield on Thursday revealed Parry had confessed to him weeks ago about possibly being a dual UK-Australian citizen.Communications minister Mitch Fifield on Thursday revealed Parry had confessed to him weeks ago about possibly being a dual UK-Australian citizen.
Malcolm Turnbull believes the best way of dealing with the citizenship issue was for a bipartisan committee to come up with a solution.Malcolm Turnbull believes the best way of dealing with the citizenship issue was for a bipartisan committee to come up with a solution.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who was last week ousted from parliament after the high court found he and four other MPs were dual citizens, suspects there are other dual citizens in parliament.Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who was last week ousted from parliament after the high court found he and four other MPs were dual citizens, suspects there are other dual citizens in parliament.