Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has resigned from parliament after a High Court hearing into the dual citizenship situation.
The High Court announced its decision in the case of former Senator Katy Gallagher, leading Ms Sharkie to “understand the implications” for her case.
Ms Sharkie, who was born in England, had applied to renounce her British citizenship before the election was called but some of the documents returned after.
“No matter that I put my application in before the election was even called, no matter that my documents came back before the election was held, the High Court ruling for Gallagher is quite clear,” she said.
“Consequently I will resign from the Australian Parliament today and seek re-election at the forthcoming by-election.”
Ms Sharkie apologised to the people of Mayo for the inconvenience a by-election will cause them.
“I am proud of my achievements to date and am confident that Mayo is better for my representation,” she said.
“I have helped build the community and improved policy outcomes in Canberra.
“Millions of dollars of much needed additional federal funding has been attracted to Mayo and indeed SA.”
No date has been set for the by-election, one of five expected nationally in late July.
