Labor MP Melissa Parke raises constitutional concerns over new laws set to strip citizenship from terror suspects
A federal Labor politician has broken ranks with her colleagues in opposing the government's draft laws to strip citizenship off terror suspects.
Melissa Parke voiced concerns over the constitutionality of the proposed changes when the bill returned to the House of Representatives on Monday.
Labor supported the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill after almost 30 amendments, but Ms Parke said a "deep level of concern" remained.
"In my view the bill remains contrary to the rule of law and the principles of natural justice and as such should not be passed by parliament," Ms Parke said.
Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles raised concerns over constitutionality earlier this month when he said: "the question of constitutionality lies with the Government and ultimately it will be for the government to bear responsibility for that".
Greens MP Adam Bandt also spoke in opposition of the "Tony Abbott-era" bill, saying it would do nothing to make Australia safer.
Mr Bandt said the proposed laws would effectively divide the country into "two classes of citizens".
"It will trash one of the most fundamental principles of civil law and the English constitutional system that we have taken for granted for many years," he said.
"That is if you are born in a country you are a citizen of the country and it is not the parliament's prerogative to take it away."
Numerous Labor and Liberal MPs spoke in favour of the bill on Monday, with Karen Andrews referencing Australia's "relaxed patriotism".
The bill — which is likely to pass the lower house — would see dual nationals stripped of their Australian citizenship if they commit acts of terrorism.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-23/labor-mp-concerned-over-laws-to-strip-terr...