Dutton's Referendum Proposal Faces Criticism

Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition in Australia, has proposed a referendum to grant the federal government power to deport dual-national criminals by amending the constitution. This initiative follows a 2022 High Court ruling that deemed it unconstitutional for politicians to strip citizenship, which should be a judicial decision. Despite Dutton's proposal, the Prime Minister and several within the Liberal Party, including former attorney-general George Brandis, have criticized the idea as impractical and potentially unsuccessful. Dutton argues that the change is necessary to protect national safety and target individuals who engage in terrorism or serious crimes. However, the proposal has been dismissed by some as a 'thought bubble' and a distraction from economic issues. The concept echoes a similar initiative by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2015, which was also struck down by the courts.