Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Senator Nash. When did the minister first become aware of the possibility that she may be entitled to British citizenship by descent?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those time lines have been very clearly articulated by myself and by Senator Brandis through the Senate estimates process. I became aware of the issue, the government then sought further legal advice and I made a statement in the chamber on the Thursday evening.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a supplementary question.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What finally prompted the minister to check whether she was entitled to British citizenship?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have made a very clear statement in this place around the processes that relate to the issue of my citizenship. I have indeed, since that time, renounced my citizenship. This had been made very clear through my statement and through the processes, and I have been very open and transparent in the arrangements that have been in place for this. I would expect that those on the other side would also be open and transparent. I have great respect for the Australian people, and I have made sure that, throughout this entire process, I have been very clear, very open and honest about the circumstances of that arrangement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Polley, a final supplementary question.

Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that the issue of citizenship has been canvassed widely in public discourse since July, why had the minister not turned her mind to the possibility earlier?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I'm a little surprised, perhaps, that the senator opposite hasn't followed a little more closely the statements that I have made and the government has made on this issue. I have been very clear. Indeed, that statement indicates the history as it lays out in relation to my family and in relation to my Scottish father. At the first opportunity, I advised the Senate of those circumstances and, again, I'm a little disappointed that the senator hasn't made more of an effort to find out those circumstances.