As if the drama surrounding the dual citizenship of One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts couldn’t get any more insane, a new and insane possibility has emerged: Pauline Hanson’s sister may very well be able to take his spot.
Roberts is under intense pressure following last night’s announcement that he was still a British dual national at the moment he was elected, and only received confirmation that he’d renounced his citizenship five months into the gig.
That’s a huge deal in its own right. You only need to look as far as the recent resignation of
Greens senators
Scott Ludlam and
Larissa Waters, and the cabinet step-down of the
Nationals’ Matt Canavan, to see how seriously the Constitution takes the issue of dual nationals serving in parliament.
Based on the evidence, and Roberts’ resistance to publicly sharing the documents he claims prove he’s in the clear, have suggested that the Senate refer his situation to the High Court so they can determine if he’s actually eligible to serve.
That’s where things get seriously wild. Should the deal go to the High Court, and should they find Roberts ineligible, his seat would fall to Fraser Anning, One Nation’s #3 candidate on their QLD ticket.
Thanks to yet another constitutional safeguard, Anning could also be ineligible. He’s currently dealing with bankruptcy proceedings, and anyone tied up in that kind of deal is precluded from sitting in parliament.
So, that means the seat could go to Judy Smith, Hanson’s sister.
Hanson and Smith in 2007. Via Patrick Riviere / Getty.
According to One Nation’s site, “Judy is extremely proud of her sister, Pauline Hanson, and her achievements and she has always been by Pauline’s side, giving her full support.
“Judy share the same values as Pauline and would like to help strengthen her cause in the Senate, by her side.”
Smith has worked extensively in the property industry, with the One Nation site touting a raft of industry-specific diplomas she’s been awarded.
via One Nation.
As it stands, Roberts is maintaining that everything is above-board. But, should this parliament-wide crisis claim him as another victim, One Nation could take another step towards being One Family.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald / The Australian.
Photo: Patrick Riveiere / Getty.
