Five years ago, a 116-year-old section of the Australian constitution threatened to undo the government. Section 44 bars anyone who is a subject or citizen, or entitled to the rights of a subject or citizen, of a foreign power from being elected into parliament. In total, 15 sitting politicians stood down over their dual citizenship, briefly cost the then-Turnbull government its lower house majority. But five years later, both major parties have been caught out again - each losing a candidate over dual citizenship.
Reflecting Australia's diversity in Parliament
Source: AAP
Two weeks into the election campaign, both major political parties have already fallen foul of section 44 of the Constitution - barring dual citizens from being elected into parliament. But with Australia's parliament a long way off accurately reflecting the cultural diversity of the communities it serves, many are now asking if it's time to change the constitution.
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