Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Nash. On 30 July, the Deputy Prime Minister said: 'I'm not a New Zealander. I'm only too happy for anybody to go out and clarify that.' Given that we now know that the Deputy Prime Minister was, in fact, a citizen of New Zealand, why didn't he clarify his own status when he invited others to do so?

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

The senator would be aware that this is a matter that is now in front of the High Court. The Deputy Prime Minister has made a statement regarding this issue, and I would refer the senator to that statement.

Senator Sterle interjecting—

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

Senator Sterle, you have a colleague wanting to ask a question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a supplementary question. Fairfax report that, the week before the Deputy Prime Minister finally came clean about his New Zealand citizenship, they were told by his office: 'We've had all these questions before, but there's nothing to see here. The NZ authorities have told us we don't have a problem. Barnaby established that many years ago.' When did the Deputy Prime Minister's office first contact the New Zealand authorities?

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

I'm not going to comment on media reporting, and I refer the senator to my previous answer.

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

Senator Farrell, a final supplementary question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC) | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that the Deputy Prime Minister could have clarified his New Zealand citizenship by using a four-question online test, isn't it clear that the Deputy Prime Minister was trying to conceal the fact that he was a New Zealand citizen?

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

Clarity will be determined by the High Court, and I refer the senator to my previous answers.