Australia senator quits over dual citizenship

An Australian senator has resigned after realising he holds dual citizenship, meaning his nine-year parliamentary career most likely breached the nation's constitution.

Scott Ludlam, from the minor Greens party, said he only learned of his New Zealand citizenship last week.

Under Australia's constitution, a person cannot run for federal office if they hold dual or plural citizenship.

Mr Ludlam had been told his eligibility would be challenged in court. "This was my error, something I should have checked when I first nominated for [Senate] pre-selection in 2006," he said, adding that he was "personally devastated".

Mr Ludlam was three years old when he left New Zealand with his family. He said he assumed he had relinquished New Zealand citizenship when he was naturalised as an Australian in his teens.

Mr Ludlam was alerted to his status last week by a member of the public who had "done the digging for whatever reason".

UCJ, UNILORIN.