The Clive Palmer United Australia Party's candidate for Hume, Lynda Abdo, has dismissed suggestions there are dual-citizenship concerns about her candidature.
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She says her parents were born in Lebanon and Syria, but the section of her nomination form where proof of renunciation of citizenship should have been provided has been left blank, according to a news report in The Guardian.
"No. Citizenship concerns do not relate to me," she adamantly told the Goulburn Post.
"They had to do a thorough check and you have to fulfil all requirements," she said about the party process.
"They have a legal team and you go through it in detail when you become a candidate for them."
In the last Parliament, Section 44 of the Constitution caused chaos when 14 elected members were forced to give up their seats.
Ms Abdo currently resides in Cairns, Queensland, but said she was planning to move to the Hume electorate and that she would be in Goulburn this week for the 'Meet the Candidates' forum on Wednesday night.
Ms Abdo said she was running for the United Australia Party (UAP) because she was dissatisfied with the major parties and this party had provided some solutions.
"Liberal and Labor policies at the moment are not serving the country," she said.
"Australia needs to improve in a lot of areas such as infrastructure, health and education.
"The cost of living is becoming more difficult for Australians and some of the United Australia Party's policies will address these issues.
"I sincerely believe in the party's objectives and that is to stimulate growth and the economy, which in effect will better the lives of all Australians."
On infrastructure, Ms Abdo said she had grown up in Sydney, but had moved away from the city, citing congestion as well as the traffic for prompting the move.
"An oversupply of multi-storey buildings were erected within a short time-frame, which inevitably strained the roads," she said.
"Travelling has become increasingly stressful and time-frames for getting places have doubled and in some instances tripled.
"Sydney is not an isolated case where infrastructure is a concern."
Ms Abdo said education was becoming "a competitive market where parents seek out the best affordable education".
"Some schools have complained of under-funding and the lack of facilities to offer students a good level of education. Nevertheless, my argument is that all schools should provide a good level of education to ensure fairness within the vast demographics of Australia," she said.
She also had concerns about the health system.
"Most hospitals have issues of under-funding, a lack of staff, facilities and space. Waiting list time-frames have increased for emergencies, surgeries and appointments the health of some Australians has deteriorated as a result of waiting," she said.
She said the rising cost of living was making it difficult for more Australians.
"On a regular basis I speak to people of all walks of life. Some elders have shared their concerns of not being able to turn on the air conditioner in summer nor their heater in winter in fear their bill would be exorbitant," she said.
"Likewise, they purchase the bare minimal to make ends meet. On a similar token, young people have shared their stories on the high cost of rent or mortgage repayments, which makes living independently harder and how some still rely on their parents for accommodation.
"Overall the cost of living affects one's mental state as well as financial state. If the cost of living became more affordable for those who currently struggle then we may be able to put a smile back on their faces."
The Liberal Party is preferencing the UAP first and Ms Abdo has given Angus Taylor her preference, in line with the deal struck between the Coalition and Clive Palmer.
Huw Kingston at the Tatts
Meanwhile, Independent candidate for Hume Huw Kingston will be at the Tattersalls Hotel in Goulburn on Monday, May 6 at 6pm to meet people.
He will also be speaking about the life experiences that have formed his values and beliefs, and what how he thinks he can contribute to Federal Parliament.
Small protest outside Angus Taylor's office
A small protest occurred out the front of Member for Hume Angus Taylor's office on Friday afternoon.
Dr John Egan and his wife Lyn staged the protest, citing concerns about climate change.
"Climate change is so important and it is not being addressed by Liberal-National Party," Dr Egan said.
"We are grandparents and this is for our children's future. We never do this sort of thing, but we thought we have to do something.
"The science is in. We have to get our emission levels to zero by 2050."
Dr Lyn Currie said the tipping point for her in deciding to protest was the fish kill at Menindee.
Meet the Candidates Forum
Ahead of the election, the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce will host a 'Meet the Candidates' forum on Wednesday, May 8 at Harvest Cafe from 5.30pm.
Hume candidates Angus Taylor MP, Labor's Aoife Champion, Tanya Hargraves (Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party), United Australia Party's Lynda Abdo, who lives in Queensland, and independent candidate Huw Kingston have all accepted the invitation to attend the forum.
The candidates have been invited to speak on their respective party's policies affecting small business and industry.