- Labor threatened to challenge laws passed by one vote amid a government crisis
- Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek warned laws were ‘under a legal cloud’
- Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was removed from office on Friday
Malcolm Turnbull’s reeling government is set for even more strain in the coming days and weeks after Labor threatened to inundate the coalition with legal challenges.
Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek warned a number of laws were ‘under a legal cloud’ after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was removed from office.
Joyce, who was a dual New Zealand citizenship until earlier this year, was sensationally ousted on Friday along with his deputy Fiona Nash and four other politicians with dubious citizenships.
Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek warned a number of laws were ‘under a legal cloud’ after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was removed from office
Labor now believe any laws passed by a single vote may not be legitimate and may be planning to challenge several pieces of legislation.
‘Every decision made by both Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash since October last year is under a legal cloud,’ Ms Plibersek said.
‘Labor regrets that the Prime Minister chose to keep two of his cabinet ministers, Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash, in their positions, after they had chosen to refer themselves to the High Court.
‘It was reckless judgment from the Prime Minister and a decision with serious consequences.’
Malcolm Turnbull’s reeling government is set for even more strain in the coming days and weeks after Labor threatened to inundate the coalition with legal challenges
Bill Shorten will has little time to make progress, with parliament sitting for just four days before the by-election that is likely to see Mr Joyce reinstated
Labor is also believed to be planning to have another go at introducing laws that missed out on being passed by a single vote.
However, Bill Shorten will has little time to make progress, with parliament sitting for just four days before the by-election that is likely to see Mr Joyce reinstated.
The High Court disqualified Mr Joyce from parliament on Friday along with four other politicians – Ms Nash, Larissa Waters, Scott Ludlam and Malcolm Roberts.
Matt Canavan and Nick Xenophon were ruled eligible.