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'I've never taken up Greek citizenship': Liberal MP Julia Banks denies dual status

Liberal MP Julia Banks says she has never taken up Greek citizenship as speculation swirls around her status, potentially threatening the Turnbull government's control on power.

Ms Banks won the marginal Victorian seat of Chisholm in last July's election, with 51.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. Hers was the only seat the Coalition won from Labor.

If Ms Banks was disqualified from Parliament, her departure would force a byelection and potentially threaten the Turnbull government's control on power in the lower house, which it holds by just one seat.

Liberal MP Julia Banks says she was born an Australian citizen and has never taken up Greek citizenship. Picture: Liberal Victoria
Liberal MP Julia Banks says she was born an Australian citizen and has never taken up Greek citizenship. Picture: Liberal Victoria

Should that scenario play out, the Liberals would fall to just 75 seats in the 150-member house and would be leaning on the crossbench, including a number of independent MPs, to maintain government.

Ms Banks was born in Melbourne to parents of Greek heritage.

Her late father Phil Lolatgis migrated from Piraeus, Greece, in 1949 as a 15-year-old, while her mother Helen was born in Australia.

"Both my parents were Australian citizens at the time of my birth," she said in a text message to various media outlets on Friday.

"I have never taken up Greek citizenship."

Speculation of Ms Banks' dual national status came to the forefront based on Greek citizenship rules that specify: "A person acquires Greek citizenship at the time of birth, if said person is born to a parent of Greek nationality – that is, the offspring of a Greek citizen, even if the parent has not exercised his/her right to citizenship".

A spokesperson for the Greek embassy today told Fairfax that while the Federal backbencher was automatically conferred citizenhip, the status needed to be "activated".

Her departure would force a byelection and potentially threaten the Turnbull government's control on power in the lower house. Picture: Facebook
Her departure would force a byelection and potentially threaten the Turnbull government's control on power in the lower house. Picture: Facebook

Questions have been raised about her citizenship status after LNP senator Matt Canavan resigned from cabinet upon discovering his mother had registered him as an Italian citizen without his consent.

Greens senators Larissa Waters and Scott Ludlam this month both quit parliament after finding out they held dual citizenship.

All three cases are expected to be referred to the High Court.

Under section 44 of the constitution, people who are citizens of two or more countries are not eligible to run for federal parliament.