Australian court rules deputy PM ineligible for parliament

Australia's High Court ruled on Friday that Deputy Prime MinisterBarnaby Joyceis ineligible to remain in parliament, a decision that has cost the coalition government its one-seat parliamentary majority.

Joycewas one of seven politicians whose eligibility to sit in parliament was thrown into doubt when it was found they were dual citizens, which bars them from being elected to the national parliament under Australia's constitution.

"I respect the verdict of the court,"Joycetold reporters in the rural New South Wales town of Tamworth. "It's a pretty simple story, we're off to a by-election."

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Joyce asked for the matter to be referred to Australia's High Court for a ruling on his eligibility. He said he would not resign or temporarily step down from office after being told by Australian Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue that he was likely to be cleared by the High Court.

However, should the High Court rule against him, it would likely end Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government.

If Joyce was disqualified, Turnbull would be forced to rely on the support of independents to prevent a successful no- confidence vote from the opposition Labour Party.

"I think if Joyce is forced out, Turnbull would call an election," said Peter Chen, a senior lecturer in government at the University of Sydney.

Recent polls suggest Turnbull would lose an early election, with his government bleeding support to the populist far-right One Nation party, while moderates have flocked to Labour as Turnbull struggles to deliver on his progressive reputation.

The court ordered that a by-election must be held forJoyce's electorate.

The Australian dollar fell a quarter of a U.S. cent after the court announced its decision.