Independent candidate for South Australia's marginal seat of Boothby, Jo Dyer, has been cleared to contest the federal election at the eleventh hour.
The former Adelaide Writers' Week director realised yesterday she might be a dual British-Australian citizen, which would make her ineligible to hold the seat should she win it from the Liberal Party.
Ms Dyer on Saturday announced Britain's Home Office confirmed her UK citizenship had been revoked.
"I’ve received confirmation that my application to renounce my British citizenship was officially processed in the UK... rendering me eligible to continue my campaign," she said.
"I’m relieved and look forward to continuing the fight for Boothby to have a representative who supports their interests."
Citizenship revoked before nominations closed
The critical element in Ms Dyer's case is timing, since dual citizens must have revoked their citizenship status prior to nominating as a candidate.
Ms Dyer applied for her citizenship to be revoked last December, before her nomination on April 14.
"Hard copy paperwork has been posted and is currently in transit. We have confirmation from Royal Mail that the document is on its way," she said.
Calls to reform Section 44
Ms Dyer has called for Section 44 of the Australian Constitution to be amended, describing the citizenship laws as "inhibitors" to the democratic process.
"Requiring candidates to renounce a secondary citizenship at the point of nomination is an inhibitor to attracting the widest possible range of people from diverse backgrounds to stand for election to our federal parliament," she said.
Constitutional change would require a referendum, something Ms Dyer said she would advocate for if elected.
"After the Section 44 furore of 2017-18, a competent government would have addressed this archaic provision. As usual, this government has done nothing," she said.
"We must add reform of Section 44 to the referendum. I see as essential to the next parliamentary term, namely a referendum for constitutional recognition of our First Nations via a Voice to Parliament."
