Abetz challenge withdrawn

Australia's own private birther challenge was called on in the High Court today, where the Court sat as the Court of Disputed Returns to determine whether Senator Eric Abetz is disqualified from sitting due to his German citizenship.

Perhaps uncharacteristically for a birther challenge, the challenge is not being pursued because incontrovertible evidence of Abetz’s renunciation of citizenship has come to light.

The challenge was brought by Tasmanian antiques dealer John Hawkins. Counsel for Hawkins today sought leave to withdraw the petition.

Generally, such challenges are referred to the Federal Court for hearing rather than being directly dealt with by the High Court. Last time they referred a case, as far as I know, was back in 2009 in relation to a, then, lesser known independent named Rob Oakeshott.