The deputy PM’s referral to the high court to determine whether his New Zealand citizenship makes him ineligible to be an MP was meat and drink for Twitter

The news that Barnaby Joyce had referred himself to the high court over his citizenship is the latest in a string of gobsmacking incidents from our elected parliamentarians who, as it turns out, possibly maybe should not have been elected.

First it was Scott Ludlam, followed swiftly by his Greens co-deputy leader Larissa Waters. Then, confusingly, the LNP minister Matt Canavan and, gloriously, One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts.

Add the deputy prime minister to the mix and you have much fodder for the jokers of the internet, distracting us from the actually quite serious issue of unconstitutionally elected politicians.

At least Joyce foresaw the irony, having been one of the few to urge against gloating from the Coalition side when the two Greens resigned.

Rosie Lewis (@rosieslewis) Barnaby Joyce, July, re throwing stones @ Greens over citizenship "You bet your life the stone will come back & hit you" #auspol @australian

On the other hand, Joyce was full of confidence when he appeared on Channel Nine’s Today program that he had done his own due diligence. Asked whether he had “gone back, triple, quadruple checked your own background”, the deputy prime minister said: “Everyone’s had the conversation with their mothers, and their fathers, when I was asleep did you make sure you didn’t make me a citizen of Botswana? ... I am an Australian, no problems there.”

deborah knight (@deborah_knight) This was a bit of a joke question to @Barnaby_Joyce just 2 weeks ago on @TheTodayShow on whether he might have any citizenship doubts... pic.twitter.com/evZodV0aDy

Although of course no one has questioned whether Joyce is Australian, just that he may be technically a bit something else as well.

Shorten_Suite (@Shorten_Suite) Dear New Zealand.



This may be yours.



Regards,

Australia #auspol pic.twitter.com/Wjiax69CeD

Or he might be one of those things claimed on both sides of the Tasman, like Crowded House, the flat white or Russell Crowe.

Nobody has forgotten how hard Joyce cracked down on those other foreign interlopers, Pistol and Boo.



How did that apology speech by Johnny Deep and Amber Heard go again?

“When you disrespect Australian law they will tell you firmly. I am truly sorry Pistol and Boo were not declared. Protecting Australia is important. Declare everything.”

Rebel Web Solutions (@RebelSolutions) #JohnnyDepp on hearing the news pic.twitter.com/s66A9LinCJ

Rob Stott (@Rob_Stott) Incredible that the man who went after Pistol and Boo is actually an undeclared foreign pest

Jourdain (@jourdainxo) I am demanding @Barnaby_Joyce make an awkward webcam apology if it is found he is an NZ citizen

Labor is yet to add any of its MPs and senators to those whose citzenship is in doubt, despite generous offers from the prime minster for them to join the gang at the high court.

Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) The batch referral offer seems to be an invitation for Labor to dob their own members in! #auspol https://t.co/BJiEimMZgz

But if the response to the first five is anything to go by they should tread with caution and heed the age-old wisdom of the age we live in – never tweet – as the Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson is repeatedly finding out.

Mark Di Stefano 🤙🏻 (@MarkDiStef) Never tweet. pic.twitter.com/AvqiWXo5oN

Karen Barlow (@KJBar) Time to crack this tweet out again. Remember this from PM Turnbull? https://t.co/Qhfe5zEfyR

Meanwhile, at least some in New Zealand appeared ready to trade.

Toby Manhire (@toby_etc) Idea: If Australia repeals all laws discriminating vs resident NZers, NZ passes law revoking citizenship of all elected to Aus legislatures

Russell Brown (@publicaddress) Just in case you were wondering, New Zealand is observing all this with incredulous amusement.

And, of course, the sheep picture.