Kenyan born lawyer Lucy Gichuhi is now Australia’s newest MP after the High Court officially announced her as Senator for the seat vacated by Senator Bob Day.
The High Court ruling came amid the Labor party’s bid to challenge her election.
The party had asked the High Court for more time to obtain evidence that Ms Gichuhi did not take reasonable steps to renounce her Kenyan citizenship before the July 2 election.
However Justice Jeffrey Nettle said that the party had enough time to obtain such evidence as there had been speculation since that Ms Gichuhi would enter the Senate and that they should have used the time to conduct their investigations.
The judge also added that an investigation conducted by Attorney-General George Brandis had revealed that Ms Gichuhi was indeed eligible.
“For those reasons the court is not (going to) grant more time,” Justice Nettle said
Soon after the court’s decision, Ms Gichuhi aid that she was going to bring a “conciliatory” attitude to the job.
“I acknowledge as a common Australian, there are times I have perceived our politics as polarized,” Ms Gichuhi told reporters in Adelaide.
“I do not necessarily feel that this is about Labor, Liberal, or any other political party.
“My promise to South Australians and all Australians is that I’m going to bring an attitude of conciliatory politics – if there’s anything like that.”
Ms Gichuhi was flanked by her husband and daughters as spoke to reporters.
Ms Gichuhi said she appreciated that people wanted to know her view on every issue but she said her policy positions will be formed as she gathers advice.
“While my values will never change, my approach to matters before the Senate will be to take the best possible advice from all corners before finalizing a particular position,” she said.
“I look forward to consulting with the government, the opposition and the Senate crossbench as I move towards playing an active and effective role in parliament.”
