Scott Ludlam, co-deputy leader of the Federal Greens and perhaps the strongest advocate for the video game industry in Australia, has resigned from his party and the Federal Parliament effective immediately. Key points: Scott Ludlam held dual citizenship which made him ineligible to sit as a senator

He has resigned and says he will not fight to stay on in Parliament

Mr Ludlam takes responsibility for the "ridiculous oversight"

Mr Ludlam admitted his election was invalid because he did not renounce his New Zealand citizenship, which the WA Senator said he only discovered he had a week ago. The highly regarded barrister obtained proof Senator Ludlam still holds New Zealand citizenship and is ineligible for politics in Australia. He also had a commercial interest in his Adelaide electorate office, breaching Section 44 (5) of the constitution, which bans federal members of parliament from having a financial contract with the Commonwealth. Ludlam admits responsibility, unreservedly apologises

Mr Ludlam has apologised unreservedly for what he said was his mistake and a "ridiculous oversight". "This was my error, something I should have checked when I first nominated for preselection in 2006," Ludlam announced on Twitter. I am resigning as senator for Western Australia and co-deputy leader of the Australian Greens, effective today.”



The resignation of Ludlam, who is popular politically among the Greens’ base, has gutted the party. Ludlam could be forced to repay salaries, allowances

There are some recent examples of the High Court ruling senators' elections invalid, including former Family First senator Bob Day and former WA One Nation senator Rod Culleton. His admission about his New Zealand citizenship opened the possibility that the Commonwealth could pursue him to pay back years in salary and allowances, but Mr Ludlam said he was confident that would not eventuate.
Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens Scott Ludlam resigns as a Senator after discovering that he holds dual citizenship with New Zealand, making him electorally ineligible under Section 44 of the Constitution of Australia.