One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to look into Afghan-born Muslim senator Fatima Payman‘s eligibility to serve due to her dual citizenship.
Ms Payman, who was unexpectedly elected as a Labor senator in Western Australia in 2022 before falling out with and quitting the party over her stance on the conflict in Gaza, on Wednesday launched her own political party called Australia’s Voice, which she said would have no policy positions.
Hours later Ms Hanson shared a letter to the prime minister, saying she had “serious questions” about Ms Payman’s eligibility to sit in the senate under section 44 of the constitution, which disqualifies anyone with dual citizenship or allegiance to a foreign power.
She noted Ms Payman’s claim that she has been unable to renounce her birth citizenship because of the conflict in Afghanistan at the time of her nomination, but asked the prime minister to investigate whether she had since had the opportunity to do so and whether she was obliged to take reasonable steps towards it.
“With Senator Payman’s recent announcement about forming a new political party, likely utilising her position as a Senator to form a parliamentary political party, it’s imperative that we address her status swiftly ahead of the upcoming federal election,” the Queensland senator said.
“I have called for a transparent process to examine her situation, suggesting a bipartisan approach to resolve these constitutional concerns.
“Senator Payman should be afforded every opportunity to refer herself to the High Court to clarify her eligibility to sit as a Senator. If she chooses not to take this step, it then falls to the Senate to make that referral.
“Our commitment to upholding the Constitution must be unwavering. I urge the Prime Minister to act promptly to maintain the integrity of our parliament and ensure the Australian public can have full confidence in the legitimacy of their elected representatives.
“We owe the Australian people thorough and decisive action on this matter.”
During a one-year period in 2017 and 2018 eight senators and seven lower house MPs were forced to step down after either being ruled ineligible by the High Court due to section 44 or by resigning pre-emptively.
Header image: Pauline Hanson, left, and Fatima Payman, right (Facebook)
