New Zealand confirms Australian deputy PM's dual citizenship

Unpublished
Auckland - New Zealand's government has confirmed that Australia's deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, is a dual citizen. Dual citizens are not allowed to run for public office under Australia's constitution. Mr Joyce revealed earlier that he may have New Zealand citizenship by descent, but said he will take his case to the nation's High Court. PM Malcolm Turnbull's government risks losing its grip on power if Mr Joyce is ruled ineligible. The office of New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne confirmed to Australian media that under New Zealand law, a child born to a New Zealand national is automatically given citizenship. However, Mr Joyce told parliament he received legal advice that he is not in breach of rules. He will remain as deputy PM in the meantime. Mr Joyce is the latest of several Australian politicians to be caught up in dual citizenship scandals. Two senators, Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters, were forced to resign last month over their citizenship status. Another two senators, Matt Canavan and Malcolm Roberts, will also have their eligibility decided by the High Court. He is the leader of the National Party, the junior partner in Mr Turnbull's conservative coalition. Mr Joyce entered the Senate in 2005, where he served for eight years, before moving to the lower House of Representatives in 2013. Known for his straight-talking comments, Mr Joyce gained international attention by clamping down on Johnny Depp's dogs and rebuking critics of Australia Day.(FA)

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