Barnaby Joyce has been disqualified by the High Court in a ruling regarding his citizenship.
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The former deputy prime minister said he wasn’t surprised by the ruling, citing himself as cautious at a media conference at Tamworth look-out on Friday afternoon.
Mr Joyce has told the media he no longer holds any of his portfolios in the Nationals Party and his New England seat.
“Simple story, we’re off to a by-election,” he said.
“Right now I am Barnaby Joyce, standing on a bout in Tamworth.”
Mr Joyce refused to comment on the government minority stating he’s focusing on the people of New England.
He offered his support to Fiona Nash, former deputy leader of the Nationals, who is unable to contest in a by-election.
The New England by-election will be held on Saturday, December 2.
Earlier: Today Barnaby Joyce, along with six other politicians, will find out the future of their political careers.
The decision is expected to be handed down around 2.15pm.
Along with Mr Joyce, fellow Nationals MP Senator Matt Canavan, former greens senators Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters and One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts will also find out the outcome today.
Cross bencher senator Nick Xenophon and Nationals senator Fiona Nash will receive their decision in the coming weeks.
The dual citizenship scandal has developed since August this year. It has been revealed Mr Joyce has dual citizenship with New Zealand.
New England faces a by-election if the High-Court rules Mr Joyce is ineligible to sit in parliament due to his dual New Zealand citizenship which he has since renounced.
Mr Joyce faces opposition from multiple parties in the New England, including long time rival independent candidate Tony Windsor.
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See the Northern Daily Leader’s previous coverage
- Barnaby Joyce says he’s no longer a kiwi
- If an election was called tomorrow Barnaby Joyce would win
- Barnaby Joyce could face a field of candidates
- Labor Senator talks pub politics in New England
- Nationals shrug off downward swing in elections
- Another candidate for New England Region
- Barnaby Joyce engages legal eagles in Tamworth