Who can be a federal politician?

Empty House of Representatives chamber at Parliament House. Credit: AAP

Australians are going to vote at the federal elections on May 3. There will be a diverse choice on the ballot paper. So who are we voting for? And who can even be a politician in the first place?

The Constitution sets out some basic rules around qualification for members of parliament, and disqualifications for members of parliament.
The basic rule is you have to be 18 years of age and an Australian citizen.
You're disqualified if you have committed treason, be under sentence or waiting for sentencing of an offence that has a penalty greater than 12 months, be an undischarged bankrupt, or have any allegiance to a foreign power.

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