Pollies Are Rushing To Clear Up Their Citizenship After The Greens Fiasco

Following the frankly ~dizzying~ resignations of not one but two Greens senators this week over massive bloody oversights regarding dual citizenship, a bunch of other Aussie politicians are rushing to prove that they, unlike Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam, are eligible to hold their office.

Waters resigned today after it became apparent that her birth in Canada made her a Canadian citizen (the law was changed a week after she was born), Ludlam resigned last week after it came out that he still held New Zealand citizenship for similar reasons.

Following Ludlam’s resignation, Tony Abbott was quick to pony up evidence that he had renounced his UK citizenship before assuming office, something that a bunch of very intense internet people had hitherto been very desperate to get their paws on:

FYI rumour mongers: I renounced my UK citizenship in 1993 and here’s the proof: pic.twitter.com/tHAeJeqo5T

— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 14, 2017

After Waters’ resignation today, Belgian-born Liberal senator Mathias Cormann promptly fended off claims that he still held dual Belgian-Australian citizenship: 

That’s false. I only hold Australian citizenship. Whoever inaccurately changed Wikepedia did not change the facts: https://t.co/GSBCKvQU9j https://t.co/xJV7Km43Rp

— Mathias Cormann (@MathiasCormann) July 18, 2017

It appears someone also took it upon themselves to update his Wikipedia page to that effect:

Mathias Cormann Wikipedia article edited anonymously from Australian Department of Parliamentary Services https://t.co/OD2dd3osHE

— AusParlGov WikiEdits (@AussieParlEdits) July 18, 2017

Tasmanian Greens senator Nick McKim also took the time to clear up any confusion about his UK citizenship:

His colleague Peter Whish-Wilson did the same regarding him being born in Singapore:

No I’m not automatically a dual citizen because I was borne in Singapore (unlike Canada). Must have 1 Singaporean parent as well ½

— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) July 18, 2017

Apart from that @larissawaters and my cases were near identical.Left as Bubs with Aussie parents on Aussie passports. So bloody frustrating

— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) July 18, 2017

While there’s no excuses for our party’s oversight, it’s a cruel shitty blow to us all to lose another great Senator on such a technicality

— Peter Whish-Wilson (@SenatorSurfer) July 18, 2017

Halal snack pack aficionado and foreign donations fan Sam Dastyari took the opportunity to clear the air about his Iranian citizenship:

To put everyone at ease. I was born in Iran (born an Iranian citizen). I have met my constitutional requirements regarding section 44. (1/3)

— Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) July 18, 2017

I engaged two teams of lawyers (Aus & Iran) spent 25k on legal fees (paid for myself ). 2/3

— Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) July 18, 2017

It was difficult, expensive, lengthy and precarious for my family in Iran. Nonetheless the rules are the rules & I have met them. (3/3)

— Sam Dastyari (@samdastyari) July 18, 2017

With the entirety of the Labor Party following suit:

Comment from Acting National Secretary of the ALP Paul Erickson #auspol pic.twitter.com/K7H8wgCezk

— Political Alert (@political_alert) July 18, 2017

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts – who is barely even a citizen of this planet – decided to clear up confusion over potential Indian citizenship in his characteristic (read: fucking awful) style:

STATEMENT ON CITIZENSHIP

I am a citizen only of Australia and therefore eligible to hold the position as Senator in Australian parliament pic.twitter.com/yjlCOf0gBK

— Sen. Malcolm Roberts (@SenatorMRoberts) July 18, 2017

On another note, I do not own, nor have I ever owned, a 7-11. I’m not even a chucker #auspol #NotIndian

— Sen. Malcolm Roberts (@SenatorMRoberts) July 18, 2017

Amazing that they check for that but not whether a candidate has a photo on their Facebook of them doing a Nazi salute next to a giant swastika.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale has said that they’ve now gone through and double checked everyone. Probs a good idea, hey mate.

Richard Di Natale says he’s double checked everyone else’s citizenship in the Greens as he doesn’t want to be standing here again.

— Henry Belot (@Henry_Belot) July 18, 2017