Following the resignation of the Greens’ Scott Ludlam and Larissa Waters over dual citizenship issues, former Democrat Andrew Bartlett is now under question before he even takes up his new role as a Greens’ senator. In the meantime, the Queensland State Government also loses a minister.

Apart from the two Greens senators, 23 parliamentarians were born overseas, all of whom spoke up quickly to assure electors of their singularly Australian citizenships.

The Greens: who will do what

The Australian Greens Party Room met and determined that the positions of acting australian greens co-deputy leaders be filled by Adam Bandt MP and Senator Rachel Siewert on an interim basis until a ballot of the full part room can be held. During this time, Mr Bandt and Senator Siewert will also maintain their positions of party room chair and party whip.

 On the same interim basis, former Senator Ludlam and former Senator Waters portfolios will be allocated as follows:

Andrew Bartlett

Andrew Bartlett is an Australian citizen, but had a contract with the Australian National University (ANU) when he nominated.

That could lead to him being challenged under the section of the constitution that says a parliamentarian must not have held an “office of profit under the crown”.

Queensland: emails are the problem

The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission said Energy Minister Mark Bailey has potentially destroyed public records, an offence under the Public Records Act, when he deleted correspondence with a union official from his personal email account.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with Minister Mark Bailey and discussed his use of a private email account for government business. She subsequently asked him to stand aside as Minister, pending the outcome of the State Archivist investigation into his deactivation of his personal email account.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) said: “as the only conduct the CCC considers raises a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct relates to the treatment of public records, the CCC has referred the matter to the State Archivist for investigation.”

Two Ministers will share responsibilities for Energy, Water Supply, Biofuels, Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports following the Premier’s decision to stand Mark Bailey aside as a Minister.

Treasurer, Trade and Investment Minister Curtis Pitt will also be Acting Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply.

Environment Minister Steven Miles will also serve as Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports.

Mark Bailey has been stood aside pending the outcome of the State Archivist investigation, and he will receive the salary of a Member of Parliament for his ongoing role as the Member for Yeerongpilly.