The Turnbull government has become a minority government as it’s numbers fall following the resignation of John Alexander from federal parliament.
The member for Bennelong announced his resignation on Saturday following a week of calls for him to resign, including a suggestion from the Prime Minister himself.
Alexander told reporters on Saturday morning that he could not be confident that he was solely an Australian citizen when he was elected to parliament.
“I have always believed that I am Australian and solely Australian,” he said at a press conference.
“I can no longer, with sufficient certainty, maintain the belief that I have held through my 66 years.”
He’s the latest MP caught in up the citizenship debacle, which has seen a a number of politicians forced to resign after discovering that they were not eligible to be in parliament under the constitution.
One Nation has lost Senator Malcolm Roberts, The Greens lost two Senators; Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters, while the National’s lost both leader Barnaby Joyce and Deputy Leader Fiona Nash.
Subsequently Senate President Stephen Parry stepped down, and now Alexander has also conceded that his father was a British citizen.
A number of MPs in both the Labor and Liberal parties still have a cloud over their heads, and independent senator Jacquie Lambie, and the Nick Xenophon Team’s Rebekha Sharkie may also be ineligible.
Alexander’s resignation will trigger as by-election in his seat, and he is expected to be the candidate for the seat, once he’s renounced his foreign citizenship.
The Prime Minister has ruled out calling a General Election, confident that his government can continue to operate as a minority government.
OIP Staff
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