Philip Ruddock explains new 'special envoy' title after counterterrorism measures questioned in Senate estimates hearing

27  May 2015,

Philip Ruddock has clarified his role in citizenship and community engagement after bureaucrats and ministers struggled to explain the detail of new counterterrorism measures announced by the Prime Minister this week.

Tony Abbott has appointed a new counterterrorism co-ordinator and given Justice Minister Michael Keenan an extra role, and yesterday announced he would go ahead with plans to strip some people involved in terrorism of their citizenship.

He has also given veteran parliamentarian Mr Ruddock the title of special envoy for citizenship and community engagement and announced extra responsibilities for parliamentary secretary Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

Mr Ruddock this morning described his new role as "reviewing the eligibility requirements for citizenship".

He said one of the responsibilities he and Ms Fierravanti-Wells would take on was reviewing the Australian citizenship pledge.

"One of the things we are to look at ... [is] whether the oath is sufficient in drawing attention to the nature of the obligations [people] are assuming," he told 612 ABC Brisbane.

Mr Ruddock said he would also be part of discussions about how dual citizens involved in terrorism could be stripped of their Australian citizenship.

"It's been made clear in the legislation that you will not be able to strip citizenship from a person and leave them stateless ... but we will look at where people have eligibility for another citizenship, whether we could terminate their Australian citizenship," he said.

The Immigration Department has called for Australians to share their thoughts on the citizenship to be considered in the review.

But there was some confusion about the changes during Senate estimates hearings last night.

At the hearing, Immigration Department secretary Mike Pezzullo advised LNP senator Ian Macdonald there was "certainly detail in the consultation paper that is on the website" about Mr Ruddock's role, but the consultation paper does not refer specifically to the special envoy position.