The Australian Constitution does not specify any qualifications for becoming prime minister, other than being a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate. However, the Westminster system of government, which Australia follows, has unwritten conventions that guide how the government operates. One of these conventions is that the prime minister should be someone who is able to command the confidence of the House of Representatives.
A person with a serious criminal record would find it difficult to gain the confidence of the Australian public, and therefore would be unlikely to be elected prime minister. However, there is no legal barrier preventing someone with a criminal record from holding the office.
It is important to note that the decision of whether or not to elect a person with a criminal record to the position of prime minister is ultimately up to the Australian people.
