Derryn Hinch turns citizenship blowtorch on Liberal Senator

Outspoken Senator Derryn Hinch says at least one other Australian politician may have been unlawfully elected following the shock resignation of Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

Only a few hours later, Larissa Waters also resigned due to citizenship issues.

Mr Hinch believes the constitutional lawyer who revealed Mr Ludlam was still a New Zealand citizen – making him ineligible under the constitution to run for office in Australia – was actually after him.

However, Mr Hinch said he’d ensured he had renounced his own New Zealand papers before the last election.

Speaking in studio with Neil Mitchell, Mr Hinch then turned the blowtorch on Liberal Senator Eric Abetz.

“It turns out that Abetz only renounced his German citizenship in 2010,” Mr Hinch claimed on 3AW Mornings.

“He was a Senator long before that. So, why isn’t he in the gun?”

He then went on to offer some advice to disgruntled former Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

“Shut up. Shut up, or go away,” Mr Hinch said.

“There are people in his camp who are very keen for Bill Shorten to win the next election and rebuild on the conservative side.”

And he also pushed for the legalisation of drugs.

“I’m tired of turning on the news and seeing big burly policeman, with guns on their hips, arresting pot plants,” Senator Hinch said.

By JAKE BOURKE