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Australia citizenship row: Turnbull loses majority as MP resigns
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41953010Australia citizenship row: Turnbull loses majority as MP resigns
2 hours ago
From the section Australia
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has lost his parliamentary majority after another MP was forced to resign amid a political crisis over dual citizenship. John Alexander, a former tennis star, said he would step aside as he could "no longer... maintain the belief" he only held Australian citizenship.
Australia's constitution demands politicians are not dual nationals. The rule has so far unseated the deputy prime minister and five other MPs. Mr Turnbull has ruled out a general election, insisting he has the support of two independent MPs.
(snip)
As a result of the ruling, Liberal Party MP Mr Alexander said he "had to thoroughly xamine my situation", leading him to suspect he may have inherited citizenship through a British-born parent. "It is my obligation that I must resign and that's what I will do," he said.
Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal-led coalition government now has 74 MPs- the same number as the opposition, made up of 69 Labor MPs and five crossbenchers.
(snip)