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Australian citizenship row: By-election threatens PM's majority Australia citizenship row: Government wins key by-election
(about 7 hours later)
Australians in a suburb of Sydney are voting in a by-election that could cost the governing conservative coalition its slim majority in parliament. Australia's ruling coalition has retained its one-seat majority after it won a bitterly contested by-election in a Sydney suburb.
The poll was called after Bennelong MP John Alexander stepped down in the crisis over dual citizenship. Former tennis professional John Alexander was re-elected in Bennelong division after stepping down over a dual-nationality row.
The citizenship crisis has forced nine Australian MPs to resign. Labor's Kristina Keneally enjoyed a 7.9% swing in support in her favour but it was not enough to win the seat.
Mr Alexander, of the Liberal-National coalition, is standing for re-election but faces a strong challenge from Labor's Kristina Keneally. The citizenship crisis forced nine Australian MPs to resign.
If Mr Alexander loses, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would lose his one-seat majority in parliament. They were found to hold dual nationality - something politicians are barred from by Australia's constitution.
The government would then have to rely on the support of five independents to push through its programme. Mr Alexander has since renounced his British citizenship and has now won re-election - as Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce did two weeks ago.
"People will be casting a judgment on the government, which I lead, of course," Mr Turnbull told reporters. The vote had been seen as a test of the credibility of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's ruling Liberal-National coalition. Opinions polls suggested Mr Alexander could lose the vote, costing the coalition its wafer-thin majority and forcing it to rely on independents in parliament.
Australia's constitution demands politicians are not dual nationals. Mr Turnbull was ebullient as he addressed cheering supporters.
A key factor in the vote could be how Chinese-born voters decide. They make up more than a fifth of the electorate in the constituency. "Thank you Bennelong, the people of Bennelong have put their faith in this man," he said, raising Mr Alexander's arm in triumph, according to Reuters news agency. "Liberals have come from across the state, across the nation."
The opposition has accused the government of "China-phobia" after Mr Turnbull accused China of interference in Australia. But while Ms Keneally conceded defeat, she said the swing in her favour showed voters were fed up with Mr Turnbull.
Turnbull's citizenship plans "The verdict is in, the message is clear, we have had enough of your lousy leadership. Malcolm Turnbull injected himself in this campaign, he owns this result."
Mr Alexander, a former tennis star, resigned after revealing that he had probably inherited dual British citizenship through a UK-born parent. Labor has accused the government of whipping up "China-phobia" - and had hoped that the large number of Chinese-origin voters in Bennelong might punish the government for it.
He said at the time that he could "no longer... maintain the belief" he only held Australian citizenship. However, it emerged that he might not even be entitled to UK nationality and so he is re-contesting the seat.
Among the politicians unseated by the citizenship crisis was Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Mr Joyce easily won a by-election earlier this month and returned to parliament.
Mr Turnbull has unveiled plans to make all federal politicians clearly declare their citizenship status to avoid a similar crisis in the future.Mr Turnbull has unveiled plans to make all federal politicians clearly declare their citizenship status to avoid a similar crisis in the future.
Under the new plan, politicians will be obliged to make a formal declaration about their citizenship status, as well as provide details about the time and place of their birth, and the time and place of birth of their parents.Under the new plan, politicians will be obliged to make a formal declaration about their citizenship status, as well as provide details about the time and place of their birth, and the time and place of birth of their parents.
If any politicians formerly had citizenship of another country they will also be required to detail when and how they renounced it.If any politicians formerly had citizenship of another country they will also be required to detail when and how they renounced it.