Highlights
- Changes flagged to the Australian citizenship test
- New questions on Australian values will be added to the test
- More than 200,000 granted Australian citizenship in 2019-20
Addressing the National Press Club on Friday, Minister Tudge said there will be a stronger focus on ‘Australian values’ in the new citizenship test.
“Australian citizenship is both a privilege and a responsibility, and it should be granted to those who support our values, respect our laws, and want to contribute to Australia’s future. We should ensure that those who come here and those who want to settle here clearly understand – and are willing to commit to – the shared common values that unite us all as Australians,” Minister Tudge said to the Press Club.
Over the last 12 months, a record 204,000 were granted Australian citizenship.
“We need to maintain this momentum,” the Minister said.
“We will also place a greater emphasis on Australian citizenship, encouraging people to take it up,” he added.
Mr Tudge announced the new Australian citizenship test will include new questions on Australian values.
He said it was important to educate ‘people about what it means to declare one’s loyalty to our nation and its people.’
“I am announcing today that we will be updating the Australian citizenship test and this will include new questions on Australian values. I will have more to say on this in coming weeks, but the stronger focus on Australian values in citizenship testing will be an important part of helping protect our social cohesion into the future,” he said.
The Government will also be updating the Australian Values Statement – something that is signed by temporary and permanent migrants as well as citizenship applicants.
“This will make the Statement more meaningful so that it reflects the importance we place on the values that define and shape our country and culture,” Mr Tudge said.
What is an Australian values statement?
While applying for Australian visas, applicants are required to confirm that they will respect Australian values and obey Australian laws.
Currently, the Australian values statement says:
- Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good
- Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background
- the English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
Should the person seek to become an Australian citizen, he/she understands:
- Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting their diversity
- Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities of Australian Citizenship include obeying Australian laws, including those relating to voting at elections and serving on a jury.
It also means the person has to pledge loyalty to Australia and its people.
‘Consult the community’: FECCA
The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA)’s CEO, Mr Mohammad Al-Khafaji said that while a majority of people applying for Australian citizenship believe in a liberal democracy, it is important to understand what these changes will be.
“An overwhelming majority of people who apply for Australian citizenship believe in the values of living and being part of liberal democracy. But it is important to understand what these changes will be,” Mr Al-Khafaji told SBS Hindi.
“Will these changes mean additional barriers for those people who want to become citizens? Will it become difficult to pass the test? More details and clarity is needed.
“I hope they consult the community. Many migrants who came after the First World War are model citizens and have built empires here and been great citizens. Some of them had very poor English.
“English cannot be a measure of someone’s success. I agree, English can make settlement faster and life easier. But it is not the benchmark,” Mr Al-Khafaji said.
As of July 31, 2020, 150,171* applicants were still awaiting the outcome of their citizenship application.
The current average waiting period has shot up to 25 months from date of application to ceremony due to restrictions imposed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this month, Mr Tudge said waiting times are expected to drop by the end of this year.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
More than 70,000 people became Australian citizens through online ceremonies, but tests and interviews came to a complete standstill due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Minister Tudge said he expected to the waiting time to reduce by the end of the end.
“Over the last 12 months, there's been 204,000 people who have become Australian citizens, which is a 60 per cent increase on the previous year.
“Now that means that we are almost back to regular citizenship wait times that we were used to before the last couple of years.
“My expectation is that by the end of this year, we certainly will be back to those regular wait times, which is then in the vicinity of six to 12 months rather than some occasions going out to 18 or so months,” Mr Tudge said.
ALSO ON SBS HINDI:
Australia’s migrant intake to drop massively by 80 per cent in 2020-21
Adult Migrant English Program Source: SBS
More hours available to help migrants learn English
Minister Tudge on Friday also announced the government was overhauling its English language program for migrants to learn and improve their English language skills by increasing the number of available hours through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
“We are also making the program more flexible so there are more opportunities and ways for more people to learn English,” Mr Tudge announced.
From today, migrants in Australia will be able to access more than the current standard 510 hours available through the AMEP.
“These changes will mean that more migrants will be able to access free English tuition, for longer, and until they reach a higher level of proficiency.
“Better English language skills improve a person’s chance of getting a job, helps them be more involved in the community and lets people fully participate in our democracy,” he said.
