Australian Citizenship Bill 2017 – Update
On Wednesday, 13 September 2017, Senator McKim moved a motion in the Senate to have consideration of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 discharged from the Senate Notice Paper.
This is a little used parliamentary process, whereby the legislation would effectively be ‘struck off’ the list of legislation being considered by the Senate.
Senator Lambie, moved to amend the motion and her amendment was carried. Senator McKim’s motion, as amended, was carried and reads:
That if, by 18 October 2017, the government business order of the day relating to the consideration of the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017, has not been finally considered, the order of the day shall be discharged from the Notice Paper.
If the Citizenship Bill cannot be passed by that date and is discharged from the order of business on that date, the Government would need to reintroduce the Bill. However, some political commentators have questioned whether they will have the numbers to do so.
So it looks like all of those who are queued up for Citizenship will have to keep waiting š
