By Alesha Capone
The Liberal Party’s pre-selected candidate for the seat of Lalor has resigned ahead of the federal election, because she may be able to claim Polish citizenship through one of her parents.
The Liberals earlier this month announced 22-year-old Werribee resident Kate Oski would run in Lalor, which is considered a safe Labor seat.
But last week, it was reported that Ms Oski resigned due to the possibility she might be able to claim Polish citizenship through her father.
Two other Victorian candidates have also “voluntarily withdrawn” ahead of the May 18 election, according to a Liberal Party spokesperson.
“The party’s vetting process identified there was a possibility neither would meet strict citizenship requirements under section 44 of the Australian Constitution in time for close of nominations,” he
said.
Since 2017, several Australian politicians have been referred to court, resigned or been forced to run for re-election after it emerged that they could be ineligible to hold their positions due to section 44 of the national constitution, which forbids parliamentarians from having allegiance to a foreign power, especially citizenship.
– Sumeyya Ilanbey and Noel Towell, The Age.
