Labor candidate for Hughes quits race due to Greek citizenship concerns

·

Labor must move quickly to find a replacement candidate for the federal seat of Hughes in Sydney’s south after local teacher, Peter Tsambalas, withdrew over section 44 citizenship concerns, 7News reports.

Tsambalas was preselected unopposed by ALP branch members in January, but he had not been officially endorsed as he was waiting for notification from Greek authorities that he had officially renounced his Greek citizenship.

Despite being born in Australia and having Australian citizenship, Tsambalas acquired dual citizenship via his migrant parents.

Peter Tsambalas.

According to The Guardian, this is sufficient to trigger section 44 of the constitution which says a person is ineligible to run for federal parliament if they are “under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to a foreign power.”

In a statement on Facebook, Tsambalas said: “My team and I put every effort into resolving the citizenship question but it is clear we will not get there in time.”

“I want to thank all those who have supported me to this point. We spent several months working hard on the campaign and I believe I would have taken the fight up well in Hughes,” Tsambalas continued.

Both sides of politics acknowledge that section 44 of the constitution poses a significant impediment for candidates who come from a multicultural background.

However, changing section 44 would require a referendum and no steps have yet been taken to achieve that change.

Source: The Guardian.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece says US elections will not affect ties with Washington

Greek PM Mitsotakis asserted that regardless of the outcome of the election, Greece and USA will continue to share a strategic relationship.

Greek fire in ‘The Belly of the Beast’ at St Kilda

‘The Vineyard’ in St Kilda (also known as ‘The Belly of the Beast’) has a long and rich ethnic-Australian heritage.

Jenny Souris Foundation Gala raises $100,000 to help young cancer fighter Jack

The Jenny Souris Foundation’s fundraising gala raised funds for four-year-old Jack, who is courageously battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

Greek Australian George Moulos attempts record-breaking ‘March Across Greece’

Young Greek Australian entrepreneur George Moulos will embark on a transformative 1,200 km journey across Greece on foot.

proika exhibition explores cultural bonds that unite the Greek Australian community

On November 20, the proika project invites you to the launch their multimedia exhibition, melding fashion, photography and conversations.

You May Also Like

Four children dead in migrant boat sinkings off Greek islands

Five people, including four children, died on Monday in two separate incidents involving migrant boats heading to Greek islands.

Dendias: Greece and North Macedonia strengthening mutual confidence

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has said the relations between Greece and North Macedonia have "strengthened" after the Prespa Agreement.

Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou: The ‘hero martyrs’ who protested against Turkey’s occupation in Cyprus

The deaths of Cypriot men Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou were avenged on 24 June, 2008 after being murdered by Turkish protestors in 1996