Humble servant of the Nation

Parliament’s don’t ask, don’t tell view of Constitution

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The cavalcade of identity confusion continues in the federal parliament with Labor backbencher Justine Keay announcing today she would refer her case to the High Court. Despite taking steps to renounce her British citizenship prior to nominating, the Tasmanian MP was a British citizen on the date of the election.

In the ugly partisan to and fro bargaining between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader over what is to be done to bring this crisis of confidence in the parliament to an end, what is being offered from both sides is little more than a protection racket for those of their number who are still hiding under rocks.

Apparently the answer, rather like a good shampoo and conditioner, is to rinse and repeat.

For the many Australians who have not seriously considered a run at the federal parliament, it will be instructive to learn that the nomination form issued by the Australian Electoral Commission for all candidates to the federal parliament features a word-for-word reproduction of Section 44 of the Australian Constitution.

Full column here.

382 Comments

  • Boadicea says:

    One reads of Centrelink being merciless in recovering incorrectly claimed benefits. Ignorance is no excuse it seems.
    So will the same apply to politicians one wonders?

  • Boadicea says:

    Hmmmm. Think Keneally can get Bennelong off John Alexander JTI?

  • Huger Unson says:

    Jack, the next time someone calls you an “ugly so-and-so”, show them this.
    https://twitter.com/kath_krueger/status/930153350615715841

  • Boadicea says:

    Quite honestly I think we will miss Jacqui Lambie. Yes, she was rough at the edges in the beginning, but she matured into the role, calls a spade a spade and is often a lone voice for the battlers
    She will probably stand for,and win the seat of Braddon in the Tasmanian state election – which will get the wind up them here. A hung parliament looms.
    I agree with Dismayed -what the hell is an 8yr doing drag-racing for Gods sake? The parents may be fools, but the law shouldn’t be.

    • Jack The Insider says:

      We simply don’t apply the same standards of scrutiny to crossbenchers and indies that we do to major party MPs. I can see no evidence of any major achievements from Lambie. Some of her remarks have veered into racism and are based in ignorance. She was honest about her dual citizenship, I guess. Another one who can’t do the paperwork. Bye.

      • Nick says:

        Spot on Jack. Shot from the lip, often on hearsay. Disrespectful in estimates. John Faulkner still the measure of how to mercilessly interrogate while remaining civil. Sure she had some genuine concerns about veterans, so browny points for that but her demeanor allowed opponents to portray her as a maverick which lessened her impact as you say. Disclosure – I have never appeared in Estimates. And, almost, only in Tas with 12 Senators for how many voters?
        Trust you are OK.
        Cheers, Nick.

      • Rhys Needham says:

        As you mentioned on Twitter, selling her son out as a drug addict wasn’t her finest hour either.

    • Penny says:

      You know I agree with you Boa. I like her….OK like all of them she should have done the paperwork, but there’s an honesty about her I think. She has said some pretty stupid things in the past, but I think she was growing into the job. Unlike Pauline Hanson who is a self-serving, destructive, ignorant fool. However the state of politics in Australia does really not bear thinking about.

      • Carl on the Coast says:

        I note that Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson are as one with their robust objection to Sharia law being introduced into Australia. In fact the now ex senator from Tasmania has previously expressed her impassioned view on national television that anyone who wants such a law should be deported.

        And this is against the background that the Sydney University’s law school (the most prestigious one in Australia) is reportedly pushing for the recognition of Sharia law, polygamy and young marriage in our mainstream legal system.

        Causes one to wonder just who are the ‘self serving destructive ignorant fools’.

        • Penny. says:

          Carl, do you ever get past the headlines of the tabloids? Do you understand how University courses work? It’s not Sydney University’s law school pushing for the recognition of Sharia law Carl, it’s an optional course exploring the theory that maybe Sharia law could be compatible with some aspects of Australian law. As these theories are hypothetical at best it’s highly unlikely that we are going to be taken over by Sharia law, but it may give our future lawyers and lawmakers an understanding of different aspects of the law.

  • Trivalve says:

    Black armbands in Lygon St today.

    Suck it up.

    • Penny says:

      Isn’t that just wonderful stuff TV?

      • Trivalve says:

        I’m containing the real celebration in case we let Honduras do us over tomorrow night. But if they don’t…

        Socceroos form though, suggests they’ll let them in in the first ten minutes. Then maybe it’ll be 2-1 at full time (both scored after 85 minutes, one a dubious penalty) and lose the shootout.

        PS The allegedly hostile Honduran crowd were very respectful during our anthem. fervently hope that we return the favour.

    • The Bow-Legged Swantoon says:

      What happened? Did they run out of linguini?

  • Henry Blofeld says:

    Jackie Lambie resigning Mr Insider, a confirmed dual British Citizen! I liked her too. Its ‘spot the Aussie” in our Parliament for sure.
    http://tinyurl.com/y8u3j2bu

    • Milton says:

      High time the Queen stepped in and took the reigns. We could do with some pomp and ceremony. The Commonwealth and sovereignty have been a failure. Qld must secede and declare allegiance to the Queen and Wally Lewis. Our borders need to be closed.

    • Bella says:

      It is a very sad day for this country that one of only a handful of strong, honest politicians left must resign.
      Thank-you Jacqui Lambie, you blazed your own trail for the battlers in Tasmania & you did yourself proud without conforming to a fancy designer wardrobe or pretending to be any better than the people you represented.

      • Boadicea says:

        I agree Bella. No frills for sure!. JTI doesn’t think she achieved much – but I think she did bring many issues to the forefront. I really can’t remember – but I don’t think she is as blatantly racist as Pauline – but I could be wrong on that.
        In the end I think she learnt how to play the game – and we all know that parliament is a game – you know, not for serious things like actually running a country that is in deep mire.

      • Razor says:

        You’re not serious about the wardrobe surely?

        • Bella says:

          What now Razor?
          Not all women bow down to designer threads & I really find it offensive when an overpaid politician boasts that she’s “living the dream” by wearing only label clothing like$1500 heels and $32,000 evening gowns.

          For far too many Australians & their families, ‘living the dream’ is to make ends meet, put 3 basic meals on the table & if they’re lucky, find cheap second hand school uniforms & shoes for their kids, so you’ll forgive me for pointing out the hypocricy of super wealthy MP’s.

      • JackSprat says:

        I thought she was good value and she will be missed.

  • Boadicea says:

    Seriously, how much longer can the parliament function?
    It’s a joke.
    Overseas observers must think we’re completely crazy.
    On a lighter note, how funny that Boy George hung up on Fran Kelly yesterday when she started going on at him with silly questions about his gender bending! Her interviewing style is so overbearing – good to see someone say “no thanks” !

  • Dismayed says:

    Kids drag racing at 96km/h? Their Parents are Fwits.

  • Not Finished Yet says:

    Amend the Constitution? I reckon that a proposal to allow dual citizens to be eligible for Parliament would get the biggest No vote ever. But a proposal that you should get a minimum of 20 first preference votes could succeed.

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