Liberal candidates axed over citizenship

Two Liberal candidates for the federal election won't stand after discovering they are unlikely to be eligible for parliament due to dual citizenship.

On Friday, the Liberal candidates for the safe Labor seats of Lalor and Wills in Victoria stepped aside.

For the first time in a general election, candidates must lodge with the Australian Electoral Commission a "qualification checklist" which will be published online.

The checklist covers issues which could disqualify them under section 44 of the constitution such as citizenship, bankruptcy and pecuniary interests.

It was developed following the MP citizenship scandal of the past term.

Evidence of foreign citizenship renunciation or Australian citizenship must be provided as part of the documentation when a candidate nominates, before April 23.

A Victorian Liberal spokesman said the candidates, Kate Oski and Vaishali Ghosh, had voluntarily withdrawn.

"The party's vetting process identified there was a possibility neither would meet strict citizenship requirements under section 44 of the Australian Constitution in time for close of nominations," he told AAP.

"We thank our outgoing candidates and are in the process of identifying new candidates for Lalor and Wills."