Liberal MP Craig Laundy has suggested the Constitution should be changed to allow dual citizens to serve in the parliament.
Section 44 prohibits dual citizens from sitting in the Senate or the House of Representatives.
Six parliamentarians, including former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, have now been forced to quit under the rule since July, when the shock resignation of Greens senator Scott Ludlam triggered genealogical investigations across the political spectrum.
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Mr Laundy, who represents the multicultural Sydney electorate of Reid, said the law was out-of-step with modern Australian reality.
“At the moment [dual citizenship] is being demonised,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday. “I just don’t think that should be a reason to be disqualified from standing in parliament.”
“Whether it’s a referendum, whether it’s something else, we need to work out a way we can make it happen where it passes.”
Seven politicians were hauled before the High Court over potential citizenship issues last month. The seven judges upheld a strict, literal interpretation of the Constitution and five of the politicians were forced to resign. Senator Stephen Parry became the most recent casualty this week after confirming he was a UK citizen.
Section 44 can only be changed through a vote of the Australian people in a referendum.
Barnaby Joyce, who is now facing a by-election in New England, has also suggested a referendum to change the law.
A parliamentary committee that examines electoral matters will consider potential changes to Section 44, as well as considering reforms to “electoral laws and practices” that could prevent further breaches in the future.
