Matt Canavan sends Coalition into a spin

matt canavan

Nationals young gun Matt Canavan stepped down from Malcolm Turnbull’s Cabinet last night after discovering that he could be an Italian citizen.

Mr Canavan's mother evidently tried to make him an Italian citizen 11 years ago, although Mr Canavn was unaware of his mother's actions. 

His mother, Maria, told Mr Canavan last week that in 2006 she filed documents with the Italian consulate for herself and her three children to become Italian residents.

Mr Canavan, who was 25 years old at the time, never actually signed any documents.

“Until last week, I had no ­suspicion that I could be an Italian citizen. I was not born in Italy and have never been to Italy," said Mr Canavan.

“Following the reporting of ­Senator (Scott) Ludlam and Senator (Larissa) Waters (who resigned from the Senate after learning they were dual citizens), my mother raised with me the possibility that I was an Italian citizen last week. 

“The Italian authorities have ­confirmed that the application for Italian citizenship was not signed by me ... I have not received any correspondence from Italian authorities about my citizenship status and they have not been able to provide any such records.

“In the short time, available I have not been able to obtain definitive legal advice as to whether my registration as an Italian citizen, without my knowledge or consent, was valid under Italian law.

“I am seeking to obtain that advice presently. On the basis of the advice the Government has obtained, it is not my intention to resign from the Senate.

“However, given the uncertainty raised by this matter, I will stand aside until the matter is finally ­resolved.”

Senator Canavan is relinquishing his Resources and Northern Australia portfolios, but will remain in the Senate until the matter is settled by the High Court.

His mother may have lodged for Italian citizenship after it was learned that in 2007 Mr Canavan's father, Bryan Michael Canavan and Phillip Michael Gardiner, stole nearly $1.6 million between them while holding senior anti-fraud positions at Nestlé.

Is it time that there was a 'citizenship sweep' of the Senate? With Australia being so multicultural, is there a way we can bypass this dual citizenship law? Or do you think it's appropriate?

(amendment: Matt Canavan was a Nationals senator)

FirstPrev12(page 2/2)
20 comments

Now they ear questioning those whose parents and even grandparents born overseas how ridiculouse and parochial . Poor old Shorten his father was born in England , and he has lost control of the lefties nutters .

As far as I am concerned if we lost the bloody lot -of them-- all parties - we could not be any worse off

Yes Plan B

We need a Trump to "Drain the Sewer"

Well if the sewer is drained I would think Trump would be right in there -- the whole world seems to be run by the greatest scum these days -- always has been but getting even worse

Unfortunately someone has to run the country!

“Unfortunately someone has to run the country!”

Maybe there won’t be anyone left Rads after the latest.

Federal MP Julia Banks denies she has ever held Greek citizenship, but Liberals are concerned the Government's one-seat majority could be tested with a by-election if she is wrong.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-28/liberal-party-to-clarify-citizenship-status-of-julia-banks/8753616

If it was not so serious it would be laughable!!

These people are being paid large amounts of money...no excuse for making this error at all (in my books).

They say if you "pay peanuts you get monkeys".   To me it looks as though you pay big money and you STILL get the monkeys!!

Me thinks Monkeys would do a better job --

There's a new one...Victorian Lib with Greek father...forget her name but on the ABC radio news this afternoon. Don't know if she is in the House of Reps or Senate. This is all getting very interesting. 

Personally I don't think any of them should be turfed out, except for Matt Canavan who most likely actively sought the dual citizenship. His story doesn't stand up to scrutiny. I think Larissa Waters is now feeling sorry she did the honourable thing and resigned since Matt Canavan refused to do same. She had an even better case than him to fight if she had chosen to go that way.

Julia Banks MP. Thanks RnR. Your comment just came up after I wrote mine.

Update: The Greek embassy has confirmed federal government backbencher Julia Banks is not a citizen of Greece, avoiding a potential crisis for the Turnbull government.

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/ive-never-taken-up-greek-citizenship-mp/news-story/c10bc8c6169b12d5cb2814396bec2a42

NOTHING Matt Canavan OR Barnaby Joyce says stands up -- they are both downright liars they contradict themselves all the time

 

UPDATE: THE Liberal Party says the Greek Embassy has confirmed Chisholm MP Julia Banks is not a dual citizen.

After urgent questions were raised about Ms Banks’s eligibility to serve in Parliament, the Liberal Party asked the Greek Embassy to check their records.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “We have received confirmation from the Greek Embassy that according to records Julia Banks is not registered as a Greek citizen and also is not entitled as a Greek citizen.”

l Party asked the Greek Embassy to check their records.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “We have received confirmation from the Greek Embassy that according to records Julia Banks is not registered as a Greek citizen and also is not entitled as a Greek citizen.”

avatarEddy 2 days ago

 

Consider a case I know of personnaly which happened to friend of my daughters. He was Australian born of Greek parents and was arrested at Athens airport as he had not registered for military conscription as required by Greek law. Apparently the Greeks regarded hm as a Greek citizen. He was required to serve in the Greek Army for two years.

This possibly could result in any 1st generation Australian of Greek parents not being entitled to sit in Parliament due to unwanted dual citizenship.

 

Wonder why the rules are different for men and women?

 

Report

Oh come now, Mr Canavan. ''Mummy applied and didn't tell me''???  BS! It would be a weird mother that would do that without discussion with her TWENTY-FIVE YEAR OLD SON. And you would have received advice or confirmation of some kind. Common sense says your story is total BS. Caught out, so make up a lie. No doubt daddy also told his share of lies when he realised they were onto him, but he was found out and you will be too. The truth has a way of prevailing.

Yep he's a liar and has also shown himself to be entirely lacking in the ethical integrity that the 2 Greens members displayed. He should resign from Parliament completely. The fact that his Lib/Nat mates including our PM are supporting him to stay shows what a dishonourable, unethical bunch of ratbags we have in the LNP. 

Rainy & Robi I agree whole heartedly -- Canavan is not to be trusted in anything he says -- and we will be well rid of him -- I hope  -- as he was also lying about the benefits of the Adani mine -- as is Barnaby Joyce

FirstPrev12(page 2/2)
20 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment