Canavan & McKenzie back Dutton’s proposed referendum

Backbencher and Nationals senator Matt Canavan says he’s open to a referendum on giving politicians the ability to deport dual citizens if the Coalition wins government.

As VcNews reported earlier, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is considering an election promise to ask Australians about the potential constitutional change.

“It’s something I’m happy to consider. I fully support the policy,” Mr Canavan told Sky News.

“Obviously any change to our constitution deserves very, very careful consideration and I’m very, very happy to consider something like this because I do support the overall policy intent. But as with any referendum change the devil is in the detail.”

Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie has also backed Peter Dutton’s proposed referendum to change the constitution to allow the government to deport dual citizen criminals.

She’s asked if Australia can afford, both politically and financially, to hold another referendum. McKenzie says voters are “mature enough” to have the debate.

“I think it’s one of the great institutions of our Constitution that we hold a referendum if you want to change our founding document, that we ask every single Australian their opinion on the change,” she told ABC’s Radio National Breakfast.

“I think that’s very, very democratic, ideally and usually, that takes place with a constitutional convention where both sides get to publicly debate each other, and Australians get to hear the detail of the yes case on the question and the no case.

“And I think that that would be an absolutely appropriate thing to amend our constitution so that we can keep Australians safe, and I think our country is mature enough to have that debate.”

Referendums seldom pass in Australia without bipartisan support.

The “Voice to Parliament” referendum instituted by PM Anthony Albanese was the last referendum – which failed – after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, with assistance from the IPA and Advance, campaigned against the ‘Voice’ referendum with the slogan “If you don’t know. Vote No.”

A landmark High Court ruling in 2022 found it unconstitutional for ministers to strip citizenship from dual nationals. A special vote would be required to get around the ruling.