Cabinet Minister Matt Canavan believed to be Italian dual citizen
Turnbull Government Cabinet Minister Matt Canavan has stood down until the party can resolve if he is a dual citizen.
Officials are trying to confirm whether the Queensland Senator is an Italian dual citizen and Mr Canavan plans to challenge the matter in High Court.
On Tuesday, Mr Canavan announced he will quit both Cabinet and his role as Minister for Resources until further notice, but will not resign from Federal Parliament.
"I have become aware that according to Italian govenment, I am a citizen of Italy," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"I was not born in Italy, I have never been to Italy".
Mr Canavan said his mother lodged an application with the Italian consulate in Brisbane to become a citizen in 2006.
"In doing so, it would appear she made an application for me to become an Italian citizen as well," he said. "I was 25 years old at the time."
It was confirmed that Senator Canavan was registered an Italian citizen in January 2007, even though he hasn't received any correspondence from authorities about his status.
His mother only told him last week about his potential Italian citizenship when Greens senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam both resigned after discovering they were dual citizens.
Under section 44 of the constitution, a citizen of two or more countries is ineligible to stand for parliament.
Senator Canavan said it is not his intention to resign from the Senate, but given the uncertainty around the matter he has stood aside until it is resolved.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce will act as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia in the meantime.
Attorney-General George Brandis said the government will refer the matter to the High Court when parliament reconvenes in a fortnight's time.
The government has taken advice from the Solicitor-General and is seeking advice from experts in Italian citizenship law.
"It is the government's preliminary view that, because the registration was obtained without Senator Canavan's knowledge or consent, that he is not in breach of section 44 of the constitution," he told reporters.
