Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Nash. I refer to the Deputy Prime Minister, who has previously stated:

It's quite clear under Section 44, you can't be a member of parliament and have dual citizenship. It's black and white. The outcome is black and white. That's just, that's just the way it is.

Given the Deputy Prime Minister is a citizen of New Zealand, can the minister confirm his situation is black and white?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Technically, Minister Nash is not representing the Deputy Prime Minister, but she is representing Mr Joyce in his capacity as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. So I will call the Minister for Local Government and Territories in that capacity.

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The senator would be aware that this matter has been referred to the High Court. The Deputy Prime Minister has made a statement relating to this issue and I would refer the senator to that statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a point of order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, Mr President, I have a point of order on your ruling about representation. If you look at the representation list tabled by my colleague, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Nash is listed as representing the Deputy Prime Minister, so I would ask you to just perhaps reflect on whether that was correct. You fairly allowed the question, but I would ask you to consider that.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. It's a very good point, Senator Wong. You are correct; she does actually represent the Deputy Prime Minister, so that is completely my error. My apologies. Senator Watt, a supplementary question?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I again refer to the Deputy Prime Minister, who said:

I think you just have got to do your homework and make sure you're not a citizen of two countries when you stand for parliament. That's basically it.

Can the minister confirm the Deputy Prime Minister just failed to do his homework?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer the senator to my previous answer.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Watt, a final supplementary question?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's all sounding pretty black and white, really, isn't it? Given the minister's response, can the minister advise when the Deputy Prime Minister first became aware that his dad was born in New Zealand?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those are questions to be directed directly to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer the senator to my previous answers.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a point of order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is not in order for a minister representing a minister simply to suggest that it is a question for—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are not here to lecture her on how she can answer!

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right! I will assess whether the senator is in order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am happy for you to perhaps consider this: it is completely in order for the minister to say she'd refer it to the minister she's representing for consideration. What I would submit to you, Mr President, is that it is not in order to say, 'That's not a question for me; it's a question for him.'

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks for your advice!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's about representation. It's about representation in this chamber.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Address your remarks to me, Senator Wong. Ignore the interjection. Thank you, Senator Wong. I think that the minister has heard your point. Minister, is there anything else that you want to add to your answer?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, Mr President.