The government of New Zealand confirms that Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is a Kiwi citizen because his father was born there.  The case has been referred to High Court to decide if Joyce is in violation of the Constitution which bars dual citizens from serving in government.

"Unwittingly or not, he's a New Zealand citizen," said NZ Prime Minister Bill English during a news conference.  "These things are almost always accidental.  No-one sets out to confuse the public with their citizenship."

New Zealand contacted Mr. Joyce last week to say is a New Zealand citizen by descent because of his father.  It seems to be a rather odd assertion, because the elder Joyce left New Zealand for Australia in 1947, more than two decades before the Deputy PM was born in Tamworth, NSW.  At the time "we were all British subjects" said Joyce.  The High Court will decide how any of this applies to Australia.

"I have always been an Australian citizen," he continued.  "Neither my parents nor I have ever applied to register me as a New Zealand citizen, the New Zealand Government has no register recognizing me as an New Zealand citizen."

Labor says Matt Canavan stood down from the cabinet when he found out Italy (for some reason) claims him as a citizen, and therefore Joyce should follow the lead of his fellow National party member.

"How can he be the Deputy Prime Minister, when the standard was set by the former minister for resources that you should stand aside if there is uncertainty?" said Manager of Opposition business Tony Burke.  "If there is not uncertainty, why on Earth are we referring the matter to the High Court?"

Mr. Burke says the legitimacy of the Federal Government is on the line:  "How on Earth can this Parliament be claiming to have a majority Government relying on the vote of someone who they don't know whether or not he has been lawfully elected?"