Labor warns Coalition of legal challenge over decisions made by 'ineligible' Mr Joyce

The former Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, is dismissing potential threats to decisions he made while he was in parliament. The Opposition claims more than 100 government decisions could face a legal challenge because they were made by two Nationals politicians who were ineligible to be in parliament because of their dual citizenship. The Foreign Minister has also moved to calm tensions between the Liberals and the Nationals following the High Court decision.

Barnaby Joyce has been ruled ineligible to sit in federal parliament Source: AAP

Nationals' leader Barnaby Joyce and deputy leader Fiona Nash were both disqualified from parliament last week by the High Court because of their dual citizenships. It forced the government to call a by-election in Mr Joyce's New England electorate in northern New South Wales which, having renounced his New Zealand citizenship, he is contesting and expected to win.

 

But in the meantime, the Opposition has sought legal advice about the validity of decisions Mr Joyce and Ms Nash made while in office.

 

According to the advice Labor received, any decision made by the pair after October 20th last year may be open to legal challenge.

It means Mr Joyce's decision to relocate a large government department from Canberra to his regional electorate, as well as elements of the National Broadband Network rollout and government appointments, could be vulnerable.

The front entrance of Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP

But, now on the campaign trail, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader reminded the Liberals that hisparty played a major role in the Coalition's 2016 election victory.The by-election for Barnaby Joyce's seat is on December the 2nd.