Philip's Renunciation of British Citizenship Finalised

21st August, 2018

Following the disclosure by Deputy Greens Leader Scott Ludlam that he was in breach of Section 44 of the Australian Constitution, as he did not renounce his New Zealand citizenship prior to entering the Australian parliament and was therefore ineligible to sit in the Senate, and his subsequent resignation from the Senate, it became quickly evident that a number of Federal Politicians were also affected under Section 44 of the Australian Constitution.

The High Court of Australia further confirmed this position in the Citizenship Seven decision handed down on Friday 27th October 2017, whereas the Court was very clear regarding Section 44 of the Australian Constitution and Dual Citizens. Previously the High Court also ruled regarding Family First Senator Bob Day and Former One Nation Senator Rod Culleton, as the Court declared their elections invalid due to Section 44 breaches as well.

In Philip's case, his late mother was born in England and immigrated to Australia with her family as £10-pound poms when she was young, and Philip is one of many Australians granted British Citizenship due to similar family circumstances. Whilst Philip was born in Western Australia and is Australian, the resultant dual Australian and British Citizenship meant that Philip was caught by the same Section 44 constitutional issues now affecting other politicians.

On the 28 October 2017 Philip travelled from Sydney to Los Angeles on Qantas QF11 with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott. In speaking with Tony, Philip was able to ask questions regarding our Constitutional crisis, and the decision of the High Court the day before. Philip found Tony's views and their subsequent discussions interesting, especially when Tony said that our Constitution does not need to be changed, but like Philip he was equally disappointed in the state of our Federal Parliament, our Parliamentarians and was similarly concerned about the damage this crisis was doing to our country. In discussing Philip's intention to enter Politics, Tony reiterated that Philip needed to renounce his British Citizenship, as did he and that this would need to be done prior to nominating as a candidate.

Philip subsequently wrote to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second in her role as Queen of Australia and as Head of the Commonwealth on the 24 November 2017 and 13 January 2018 about the Constitutional crisis and implored Her Majesty to intervene to reinstall confidence in our Government and political system. Philip also submitted the required paperwork to the UK Home Office to renounce his British Citizenship.

Unfortunately, and despite repeated requests the UK Home Office had not yet processed Philip's renunciation paperwork which was submitted to the UK Home Office some nine months previously. Therefore, last week Philip travelled to London to expedite his renunciation, primarily as the delays already incurred caused Philip to not be able to nominate in the recent super Saturday by elections as a candidate for Perth, as despite Philip advising the UK Home Office of his intention to nominate, their failure to process the renunciation paperwork meant Philip was unable to nominate, and with a Federal Election due early next year, Philip couldn't allow this situation to continue any longer.

Philip also referred this matter, and the delays in processing his renunciation of British Citizenship to the High Court of Australia, our Foreign Minister, Attorney General, our High Commissioner to the UK, The West Australian Newspaper and the UK Special Minister of State for Immigration.

Arriving into London however, a surreal moment occurred whereby Philip thought he was in a Monty Python sketch as whilst going through immigration, the officer took his Australian passport but immediately gave it back to him and asked for his British passport which had expired. The immigration officer said that's no problem and that Philip was being admitted as a British citizen today. The lady was very polite and said welcome home, wished Philip a good day and then suggested he renew his British passport whilst here in the UK.

This was despite the fact Philip had been trying to renounce his British Citizenship since November last year and whilst travelling to the UK, the UK Home Office advised they have lost his renunciation paperwork which Philip had to send through again. It was indeed a very surreal moment for Philip, hence the comment of literally thinking he was on a Monty Python sketch or being "punked" as if only the consequences weren't so serious, i.e. being able to comply with the decision of the High Court of Australia as you couldn't make this stuff up.

Whilst in London Philip was finally advised that after 9 1/2 months, the UK Home Office had processed his Renunciation of British Citizenship which is attached below, so in essence the trip to London had been very successful. Philip would also like to personally thank The Rt Hon. Caroline Noakes MP (UK Minister of State for Immigration), Hon. Christian Porter (Attorney General), Hon. Julie Bishop (Foreign Minister) and The Hon George Brandis QC (Australian High Commissioner).

This now finalises Philips renunciation of British Citizenship, which means he is now able to comply with the High Court of Australia's determination, and are therefore able to nominate at a future Federal Election.

Australians have frankly had enough of the dual citizenship crisis polarising our Parliament, and likewise the constant assurances that everything is fine when it's not considering the posturing currently occurring, and the further inferences from Jacque Lambie, who's already said publicly that more Federal Parliamentarians are effected by Dual Citizenship.

Philip therefore reiterates again the need for an immediate audit of all past and current Federal Politicians. Similarly, in his home state of Western Australia, concerns have also now been raised regarding constitutional issues regarding dual citizenship and the state members of Parliament.

With what's transpired this week however, it's clear there's no winners in all this and the Australian people are yet again placed second to that of our political elite and politicians alike. It's not good enough and personally Philip apologises to the Australian people as you deserve so much better from your elected representatives.

Philip also seeks the immediate creation of an Independent Corruption and Crime Commission ("ICAC") to oversee and review our Federal Parliament, our constitution all federal Parliamentarians, Departments, Agencies and all federal government expenditure. Unfortunately, with what we have seen lately, our Federal Politicians and National Parliament are unable to investigate themselves, and we have seen instances of behaviour (including foreign donations and influence) which is inconsistent with the standards all Australians expect from their elected representatives, not only federally, but also across this great country that is Australia.

Philip Couper