A Labor frontbencher is likely to be referred to the High Court over her citizenship status but the Turnbull government's disclosure regime has dispelled doubts that have dogged a number of other senators.
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Monday's disclosures confirmed Labor's small business spokeswoman Katy Gallagher was still a British citizen for six weeks after last year's July 2 election, putting her eligibility in doubt.
She is in the same boat as lower house Labor MPs Justine Keay and Susan Lamb, who took steps to renounce their citizenship before nominating as candidates but did not receive formal confirmation until later.
The government argues any MPs in their situation must go to the High Court, as the court has yet not defined whether such attempts to rescind dual citizenship represent "reasonable steps" under the constitution.
While Senator Gallagher believes she is in the clear because she did take "reasonable steps" prior to nominating, the government is weighing whether to refer her to the court if Labor refuses to do so. The Greens and other crossbenchers would be likely to support such a move, giving it the numbers in the Senate.
The government has already said it will use its lower house numbers to refer Ms Keay, Ms Lamb and possibly Nick Xenophon Team MP Rebekha Sharkie.
Senator Gallagher, a former ACT chief minister, submitted her renunciation documents in April 2016 but it took 118 days to be processed by the British Home Office.
"Based on all the advice I have available to me I do not believe that I should refer myself to the Court of Disputed Returns. However, ultimately that will be a matter for the Senate to determine," she said.
Senator Gallagher's case has also exposed a weakness around vetting procedures in regards to casual vacancies - when senators replace other senators without going to an election.
Senator Gallagher entered the Senate in March 2015, replacing Kate Lundy. The documents make it clear she was a UK citizen for the first 18 months in the chamber - although the High Court can only rule on her status at the last election.
Government senator Arthur Sinodinos and One Nation senator Peter Georgiou both presented evidence they were not Greek dual citizens by descent, ending speculation about their status. Labor's Glenn Sterle and Deb O'Neill both also presented evidence they had renounced their foreign ties.
While Labor had sought to raise doubts about Education Minister Simon Birmingham, nothing in his disclosure suggested any foreign allegiance.
The documents reveal a number of other senators were potentially ineligible in previous parliaments but are in the clear now.
Liberal senator Dean Smith – who has led the charge inside the Coalition on same-sex marriage – entered the Senate on a casual vacancy in May 2012 but did not have his British renunciation settled until the end of July that year.
Labor senators Louise Pratt, Lisa Singh and Alex Gallacher all received confirmation for their renunciations well after nominating for the first time. And Greens senator Nick McKim only submitted his renunciation application a couple of days before replacing Christine Milne in the Senate.
Crossbench senator David Leyonhjelm signalled he did not take the disclosure exercise particularly seriously.
Asked what steps he took to assure himself he had not inherited foreign citizenship, he wrote: "Nothing. I've also done nothing to assure myself I'm not a member of the Community Party or a pedophile, inherited from my parents of grandparents."
Lower house members have until Tuesday morning to submit their disclosures, which will be published later in the week. Any referrals are expected to take place on Thursday.
