FREMANTLE MHR Josh Wilsonhas resigned from Federal Parliament this morning after being caught up in the dual citizenship scandal, but has said he will contest a by-election.
His resignation follows that of Katy Gallagherafter the High Court ruled the duo, plus Sussan Lamb, Rebekha Sharkie and Justine Keay, were dual citizens and did not take all reasonable steps to renounce their citizenship.
The resignations have spark the possibility of five by-elections in four states.
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READ NOWMr Wilson previously told the Fremantle Gazette he renounced his citizenship May 12 last year.
“It was the day I was endorsed as the Labor candidate for Fremantle,” he said.
“I nominated in the knowledge that I had taken all proper and reasonable steps to divest myself of UK citizenship prior to nomination.”
On June 24, Mr Wilson received a letter confirming renunciation of his UK citizenship.
Mr Wilson said in a statement that the High Court decision in the case of Katy Gallagher changed the way the law is understood and interpreted.
“Until today’s decision the ‘reasonable steps’ test had been accepted for more than 25 years,” he said.
“It continues to be the basis of the Australian Electoral Commission’s advice to candidates (in the current Candidate’s Handbook), and was the guidance I followed when I nominated in 2016.
“I have not served a single day as anything other than an Australian citizen.”
Mr Wilson has said he was happy to be considered by voters in the Fremantle electorate on the basis of his character, principles, work-ethic, and record.
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