Move to refer nine MPs to High Court fails

Labor has failed in its bid to refer nine federal MPs to the High Court to clarify their citizenship status and eligibility to sit in parliament.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke on Wednesday afternoon moved a resolution in the lower house to refer four of his colleagues - David Feeney, Justine Keay, Josh Wilson and Susan Lamb - as well as Liberal MPs Julia Banks, Jason Falinski, Alex Hawke and Nola Marino, plus crossbencher Rebekha Sharkie.

With all five crossbenchers backing Labor, the vote was tied 73-73 - forcing Speaker Tony Smith to give his casting vote to the government, resulting in the motion being defeated 74-73.