Always read the fine print
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342081)
Rockingham, Australia
July 21, 2017 3:03am CST
The Deputy Leader of the Greens party in Australia’s Federal Parliament, Scott Ludlum, has voluntarily resigned when it was discovered he was in breach of Section 44 of the constitution which states that potential candidates to the Parliament of Australia cannot hold dual or plural citizenship.
Since the revelation that Scott Ludlum has dual citizenship (Australia and New Zealand), a number of other politicians have been checking whether they are in breach of Section 44. In some cases, these politicians have lived in Australia since a very young age. Most were unaware of the ruling – or so it seems.
Another Greens senator, Larissa Waters, has also resigned because of her dual citizenship with Canada. Seventeen others have renounced their ties to their birth countries.
The only photo of a pollie (politician) that I have shows me when I was conducting the brass band in Esperance for a while. The gentleman is our then-Premier, Sir Charles Court.
18 people like this
20 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 Jul 17
More than 10% of our deputies have a dual citizenship. It is not something new, for example Thomas Paine was elected 5 times in France, the first time as soon as he got the French citizenship, in 1792. Any good will is welcomed
.
I am a bit divided about refusing to somebody with a dual citizenship to be elected. It is acting like if these people were not complete citizens. Algeria voted a law last year to forbid to Algerians with a dual citizenship to be elected. The reason behind was that the leader of the opposition had a dual citizenship Algerian/French. I find this really unfair. I suppose that your Greens leader could have renounced to his NZ citizenship to keep his seat, I find more worthy the way he did.
Was it in one of your discussions that I read that a NZ PM told that New-Zealanders migrating in Australia were raising the IQ in both countries
? You are doing your best to limit the damage
.
.
I am a bit divided about refusing to somebody with a dual citizenship to be elected. It is acting like if these people were not complete citizens. Algeria voted a law last year to forbid to Algerians with a dual citizenship to be elected. The reason behind was that the leader of the opposition had a dual citizenship Algerian/French. I find this really unfair. I suppose that your Greens leader could have renounced to his NZ citizenship to keep his seat, I find more worthy the way he did.
Was it in one of your discussions that I read that a NZ PM told that New-Zealanders migrating in Australia were raising the IQ in both countries? You are doing your best to limit the damage.4 people like this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
Yes, I put that in a post about the IQ. It was a very clever statement. I think many are a bit speechless at this turn of events but it is in the Constitution so regardless of whether anyone agrees or not that's the way it is for the moment. I don't know if it is the same for our state (WA) but we have several South Africans (and others) in our parliament so I'm wondering how legitimate their appointments are.
4 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
21 Jul 17
Wow ! so many politicians have dual citizenship. It is a precious photo.You must be a very polished conductor.
3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
22 Jul 17
@JudyEv At least you knew how to conduct then,or else the brass band would mess up.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
@changjiangzhibin89 The band would have folded altogether if I hadn't agreed to conduct. I was well-qualified in piano so had all the theoretical knowledge that I needed. I could play brass but wasn't terribly skilled but of course if I were conducting I didn't need to play.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
21 Jul 17
great pic! most interestin' 'bout the citizenship thingy. here such don't matter - if'n ya aint born'n american soil, ya can't be president - but'cha can be mayor 'n e'en governor. 'tis sad though that'cha might lose some fine folks o'er somethin' o'erlooked, perhaps 's ya said not e'en known to 'em coz such'd ne'er been'n issue prior.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137636)
• United States
22 Jul 17
Hmmm... I would say that picture has been around for a little bit, since you look like you are just out of your teens in it, Judy! (Notice, I am not asking your age then or now! I am simply making an observation.
)
Isn't it amazing some of the things that can 'slip' by until someone gets caught!?
(Notice, I am not asking your age then or now! I am simply making an observation.)
Isn't it amazing some of the things that can 'slip' by until someone gets caught!? 1 person likes this
Thank you very much. You've made my day, 
@Morleyhunt (21744)
• Canada
21 Jul 17
Dual citizenship has a downside....hmmm, that is interesting. In our family I and one of my daughters have dual citizenship although we both only have one passport (Canadian). I have many nieces and nephews who have dual citizenship, but I believe that none of them have two passports either. Some people. Isn't not even be aware of being eligible for dual citizenship.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 17
I think the politicians just hadn't considered that there might be a law against having dual citizenship. They were genuinely embarrassed about it. And the ones that have retired are genuine really useful people that we can't really afford to lose. However it will take a referendum to change the constitution. Or I guess they can renounce their country of birth and put up for their seat again.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jul 17
Interesting. Something these politicians missed when being vetted.
2 people like this
@everwonderwhy (7376)
•
2 Nov 17
Is it a good thing? Besides, Greens do not support conservative values.I wonder who and what kind of people would replace them?
1 person likes this
@everwonderwhy (7376)
•
2 Nov 17
@JudyEv I don't know who Barnaby of the Greens is. I wonder what impact will the Greens do to help Australian conservative families.
@Mass_Sonu (1021)
• India
22 Jul 17
@JudyEv That's a wonderful picture! However, what does 'Premier' mean? Equivalent to 'Prime Minister'?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
We have a Prime Minister of Australia - that's the Federal Government and rules over all the states. Then each state has a Premier. Some politicians represent their state at federal level and some at state level.
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
25 Jul 17
That Section 44... when was that added? So how many office-bearers (senators & reps at every level of govt) held dual citizenship in the past, Especially with the UK? It reeks of racism & is just another excuse for the duopoly parties to smash the smaller ones, who actually have more active legitimate members than both major federal parties put together! Such a pity... these people work even harder than the other bludgers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jul 17
It takes a referendum to change the Constitution so I can only imagine it's been there since the beginning. Certainly they have lost two good people.
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
21 Jul 17
It seems to me a rather archaic law and not in the best interest of the country but I am sure we have some similar laws.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (117141)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Jul 17
Your are so pretty in the photo.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342081)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 17
Thanks. By the time we get home my hair will be that long again.
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Jul 17
I think we might have the same rule here, but I'm not 100% sure.
1 person likes this
