Australian senator resigns after breastfeeding in parliament

An Australian senator who attracted worldwide attention for breastfeeding in parliament has resigned after being discovered to have dual citizenship.

Larissa Waters, a Greens member, was born in Canada. Under the Australian Constitution, people cannot run for parliament if they have dual citizenship.

Last weekend, another Greens senator, Scott Ludlam, resigned over his dual citizenship. Both politicians were vice-presidents of the party.

MP Larissa Waters and her daughter Alia Joy in the Australian Senate in May. Photo: Reuters.

Last May, Australian Senator Waters made headlines around the world when she became the first politician to breastfeed during a session of the Australian parliament.

Ms Waters said she only discovered her dual citizenship issue after Mr Ludlam, who recently learned he also held New Zealand citizenship.

On the verge of tears at a press conference today, Ms Waters said her error was an “honest error”.

“I was devastated to learn that because of a 70-year-old Canadian law, I was a dual citizen at birth, and that Canadian law changed a week after I was born, meaning I would have to voluntarily renounce my Canadian citizenship,” she said.

The 40-year-old MP was just 11 months old when she left Canada with her Australian parents. “All of this happened before I could even say a word,” she said. But Ms Waters said she takes “full responsibility.” She was elected to the Australian parliament in 2011.

It is not yet clear whether she and Mr Ludllam will have to repay the salaries and allowances they received.

“It's definitely something that could happen and I'll face it when it comes,” said Ms. Waters.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale said he was stunned by Ms Waters’ resignation, saying she had made a “huge contribution” to Australia.

Mr. Natale affirmed that measures will be taken to ensure this mistake will not be repeated.

Under the Australian constitution, politicians must renounce their overseas citizenship before running for election.

According to Kienthuc.net.vn