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

Senator Farrell, a final supplementary question.

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

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