Want Australian citizenship? Clear culture test

Sydney: New citizenship tests came into force in Australia on Monday, requiring people to answer questions about the nation’s history and culture to qualify to be an Australian.

Conservative Prime Minister John Howard says the new tests are necessary to ensure new Australians are committed to the country’s broad values, such as “mateship”.

The tests, and laws to ensure immigrants must spend four years in Australia instead of three to become citizens, are part of a push to promote “Australian values” after riots between Muslim and non-Muslim youths at a Sydney beach in 2005.

The tests, similar to those in Canada, the United States and Britain, have been criticised by refugee and migrant groups.

The Refugee Council of Australia said people from non-English-speaking backgrounds would be disadvantaged by the country’s new citizenship tests.

“Historically, people who have come as refugees and humanitarian entrants have been much more interested in becoming Australian citizens than any other group of migrants,” refugee council chief Paul Power told local radio
on Monday.

“This testing regime will advantage those who are least likely to be interested in Australian citizenship and disadvantage many of those who are most interested.”

Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said the 20-question multiple-choice exam would cover a wide range of topics.

Questions included, what year did Australian federation take place, what day of the year is Australia Day, what is the first line in the national anthem and what is the country’s population.

To pass, a person must get at least 12 answers correct.

Andrews rejected criticism of the tests, saying there was no limit to how many times an applicant took the tests, adding there was a test guidebook available in 29 languages.

“Ultimately, if you are becoming a citizen of Australia, we expect you to share the common values that we have in this country and know something about the way of life and heritage of Australia,” Andrews told reporters.

Source: www.mumbaimirror.com