The Government’s budget pitch has been overshadowed by the resignation of four Labor MPs with dual citizenship. Now Labor leader Bill Shorten is under fire.

Daneka Hill reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The unending row of dual-citizenship has hit Australia’s parliament again.

This time Labor is the loser, and Bill Shorten is under attack for failing to act against party members with dual citizenship.

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister: “He decided to hang in there because he thought he could get away with it.”

Three labor members of the parliament have resigned after Senator Katy Gallanger was ruled ineligible by the High Court.

Senior Labor MPs came out of the gate apologising for causing mass by-elections.

Tanya Plibersek, Labor Deputy Leader: “We are very sorry that people in a number of seats will have to face by-elections.”

Tony Burke, Shadow Minister for Citizenship: “Obviously we are really sorry it’s turned out this way.”

But Labor maintains there is at least one Liberal, Jason Falinski who should step down as well, over suspected polish citizenship.

Tony Burke, Shadow Minister for Citizenship: “He should just resign and we can have all the by-elections in one day.”

The electorates of Freemantle, Braddon, Longman and Molonglo will go to the polls as early as next month.

The coalition is hopeful voters will react angrily to the citizenship debacle, so it can pick up more seats.

Daneka Hill, QUT News.