Should Federal Politicians have Dual Citizenship?
Mehreen Faruqi, the Deputy Greens leader, says Australian politicians shouldn’t have to give up citizenship in other countries.
Mehreen Faruqi had to give up her Pakistani citizenship to be permitted to stand for the Australian Federal Parliament.
She said that it was hard to do that, and that no one else should have to go through what she went through in choosing her country of allegiance.
This requirement almost made her reconsider running for Federal office, but it would NOT have stopped her from running for a State government seat.
To be eligible to stand for the Australian Federal government, anyone must be able to put Australia 100% first. They must be willing to give up any previous commitment to another country.
This is considered important when dealing with other countries, so that there is no conflict of interest when dealing with that country.
How can a Federal politician commit 100% to one country when they feel it is so hard to give up their “Main” citizenship?
Mehreen Faruqi arrived in Australia from Pakistan in 1992, at the age of 39.
Mehreen Faruqi believes that any Federal politician should be able to hold other citizenships, and therefore not place Australia 100% on their heart.
I personally want those politicians that might be involved in dealing with other countries to be totally, 100%, committed to Australia, without any reservations based on their desire to be a Citizen of another country.
I am a dual citizen, and would hate to be in a position to have to make some of the decisions that a Federal politician might make regarding my other Citizenship.
I would be allowed to stand for a State parliament, as they do not deal with external country issues, but not Federal parliament.
Imagine if we had French citizens, or Russian citizens, or Chinese citizens, acting in the Federal parliament. Australia no longer allows British citizens to hold such an office.
Do you want people who are half and half on their country of allegiance to decide what Australia does?