A testing time for new citizens
The Australian Government has changed the emphasis of previous PM John Howard's citizenship test. Introduced in 2006, the test was well-founded in its aims but was capable of improvement.
Driven by the need for a reappraisal of multiculturalism from a policy that fostered and supported cultural differences to one that promoted cultural integration, the test was intended to raise the bar on language skills and basic civic knowledge. The revised test addresses more directly, the important concept of what it means to be an Australian citizen.
The emphasis on English language skills is to ensure that migrants are able to contribute productively to Australian society, but it also made it difficult for vulnerable groups such as refugees to gain citizenship and be fully aware of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship.
The Government has accepted the main recommendations of the Citizenship Test Review by former diplomat Richard Woolcott. Importantly, the Government also has recognised the need for new citizens to understand Australian democratic beliefs and laws and the rights and liberties of its citizens. Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship based around the Pledge of Commitment.
It will clearly set out broad values that are important in Australia and are part of our democratic beliefs such as respect for the equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and secular government, freedom of association and support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of the law. Basic facts about Australia will now be consigned to a non-testable section of a new resource book written in plain English.
There is no expectation that all migrants must conform to some kind of rigid nationalism. The values set out are universal, but at the same time they leave no room for isolationist tendencies that have been allowed to flourish.
The underlying approach to citizenship is that rights and responsibilities apply to all Australians.
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