by Will Koulouris
SYDNEY, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A popular Australian Senator for the Australian Greens Party, Scott Ludlam, has resigned from the Senate effective immediately on Friday, after the revelation that he is a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand.
This is in breach of the Australian Constitution, that stipulates that under section 44(i) that a person who is a citizen of a foreign power is incapable of being chosen as a senator, or member of the House of Representatives in Australia.
Ludlam, who was born in New Zealand yet moved to Australia when he was nine years of age, said he had assumed that as he became a naturalized Australian citizen when he was in his "mid-teens", that his previous citizenship was not an issue.
"Recently it was brought to my attention that I hold dual citizenship of Australia and New Zealand, I am therefore ineligible to hold elected office in the Federal Parliament," Ludlam said.
"I apologize unreservedly for this mistake. This was my error, something I should have checked when I first nominated for preselection in 2006. I have no wish to draw out the uncertainty or create a lengthy legal dispute, particularly when the Constitution is so clear."
Ludlam, who is incredibly popular with the younger generation in Australia, particularly millennials, was one of the most active politicians on social media in Australia, recently took time away from the Senate in late 2016, to deal with a widely-publicized struggle with depression and anxiety, drawing waves of support form his fellow parliamentarians, and the general public.
The leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Richard Di Natale, said he was "absolutely devastated" by the shock announcement, and that he has the support of the entire Greens organisation.
"Scott's decision today to deal with this issue directly and immediately shows his absolute integrity and character," Di Natale said.
"As a colleague, Scott has been an outstanding member of the parliament and of the Greens. He has been a strong representative for the people of WA and the nation on a range of issues from the anti-nukes movement, digital rights, housing and homelessness and so many others. As a friend, one could not ask for anything more."
The unexpected resignation will now likely see the matter taken to the High Court, with the Senate now needing to refer his election to the court of disputed returns, this being the third time this year that circumstances have called for such measures, Rob Culleton formerly of the One Nation Party, and Bob Day from the now defunct Family First Party both themselves being disqualified from holding office.
When asked what he plans to do next, Ludlam told the press at a media conference "I will find some other way of stirring up trouble."
Ludlam served as the co-deputy leader of the party, and handled a broad portfolio, including communications, defense, foreign affairs and sustainable cities.
