Now our deputy PM might be a dual citizen…

Australia’s deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, has revealed he might be a New Zealand citizen.

If confirmed, Joyce would become the fourth federal MP to have dual citizenship.

“This is quite extraordinary. It’s a mess. It could bring down the government.”
– Neil Mitchell

“Last Thursday afternoon the New Zealand High Commission contacted me to advise that, on the basis of preliminary advice from their depart of internal affairs which had received inquiries from the New Zealand Labor Party, they consider that I may be a citizen by descent of New Zealand,” Mr Joyce said this morning.

“Needless to say, I was shocked to receive this information.

“Given the strength of the legal advice the government has receiver the Prime Minister has asked that I remain deputy Prime Minister and continue my ministerial duties.”

Click PLAY above to hear Joyce’s full comments

Anyone born overseas to a New Zealand father between 1949 and 1978 is considered a “citizen by descent”.