Labor senator Kristina Keneally has called on the Australian government to approve Wallabies star Quade Cooper's citizenship application after he was rejected four times.
The 33-year-old has represented Australia in rugby union 84 times, donning the Wallabies jersey 70 times, yet in the eyes of the federal government he hasn't done enough to gain citizenship - with the athlete facing multiple rejections since 2015.
Cooper was born in New Zealand but moved across the ditch to Brisbane when he was 13. He represented Australia in the Australian Schoolboys and the Under 20s after his arrival.
Last week, Cooper publicly criticised the Australian government for refusing his application for citizenship.
Labor senator Kristina Keneally has called on the Australian government to approve Wallabies star Quade Cooper's citizenship application after he was rejected four times
Keneally said it was time Cooper was able to call Australia home after living in the country for more than two decades
Taking to Twitter, he detailed the 'awkward moment' his citizenship application was denied.
With the screenshot of his rejection, Cooper wrote: 'Awkward moment @ausgov refuse your citizenship application (again). Wearing the green and gold 70 times apparently is not enough these days...'
A formal response from the Home Affairs department stated Cooper failed to engage in 'activities of benefit to Australia' or 'any work requiring frequent travel outside of the country'.
Ms Keneally has since spoken out and urged the government to review Cooper's citizenship status.
'His citizenship application has been rejected on four occasions by the Morrison Government, despite the fact that he has proudly called Australia home for two decades, and will now re-join the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks in August,' she said.
'I have reached out to Mr Cooper to offer whatever help I can so that he can finally, and officially, call Australia home.'
Speaking to the ABC's 7.30 program last week, the rugby union superstar revealed the constant setbacks were 'disheartening'.
