ANNOUNCER: And now it's time to play everyone's favourite game -
What's My Citizenship!
With everyone's favourite host - this guy!
(CHEERING)
(CHUCKLES) Now, who's ready to play?
Say hello to our first contestant, Kayla!
Hi, mum! Now, Kayla, your first question.
Are you a citizen of A - Australia,
B - New Zealand, C - Canada,
or D - "I don't know"?
(AUDIENCE SHOUT OUT SUGGESTIONS)
A - Australia?
(AUDIENCE SIGH) Well, you're half right.
Yes, Kayla, you are an Aussie but you're also a Canadian.
AUDIENCE: Ooh! Oh, cool. I didn't know that!
Yes, turns out your father was born in Canada,
which means you're automatically a Canadian citizen!
AUDIENCE: Aww!
Yes, just like Kayla here, it's not unusual to be born overseas
or have a parent who was.
And, for the most part, it doesn't cause any problems.
Oh, unless, of course, you want to work here.
The Government is very confident. Very confident, indeed.
Over the past few weeks,
quite a few politicians have
found out that they're dual citizens.
That means they're a citizen
of two countries at the same time.
One of them is the man second in charge,
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce is an Aussie
but it turns out his dad was born in New Zealand,
which means he's automatically a Kiwi too.
A fact he says he had no idea about until recently.
The rules on citizenship vary around the world.
Some countries give them out automatically in certain situations.
Others, like the US, ask you to apply.
So, it can be difficult to know where you stand.
So, I'm a dual citizen, then?
What does that mean?
Well, technically you got the answer wrong,
but I'm in a good mood,
so let's take a look at the prizes you're entitled to as a dual citizen.
Well, our lucky winner won't need to carry a visa
on their next trip to Canada
because they'll be taking home two passports.
And while they're there, they can vote, go to school,
work and much, much more!
Wow, fantastic! Yes, yes.
But to take home your prize,
you'll have to give up your dream job to become an Aussie politician.
Oh, really? Why's that?
Well, it's all because of Australia's constitution,
or section 44, to be precise.
It says that you can't be elected as a politician
if you have another citizenship.
And if you do, you have to make sure
you've given it up before being elected.
The law was created more than 100 years ago
to make sure Aussie MPs aren't able to be influenced
by other governments.
The clock is ticking, Kayla, what's it going to be?
Um, just wait a sec!
Australia's pretty multicultural. Shouldn't we just change the laws?
(CHUCKLES) Well, it's not that easy.
Some say the rules are outdated
and that it might be time to change the constitution
to allow dual citizens to be elected.
But changing the constitution isn't easy.
There would have to be a big national vote called a referendum.
That's really expensive and they are rarely successful.
So, what's it going to be, Kayla?
A career in politics or your dual citizenship?
I can't have both? (CHUCKLES)
No.
All of the pollies caught out so far
say they didn't realise they had another citizenship,
and while some have stepped down,
others, including Mr Joyce, say they'll stay in their job
while the High Court decides whether or not they have to quit.
OK. I've made my decision.
I'm going to think about it!
Seriously?
Well, that's all we have time for tonight, ladies and gentlemen.
But join us next week when we meet a contestant with not one, not two,
but three citizenships!
Bye for now!
(CHEERING)