Turnbull finally acting on my citizenship test suggestions: Hanson

Pauline Hanson, a long-time advocate of tighter citizenship measures, claims Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull 'finally acted' on her suggestions, by implementing tighter citizenship test protocols.

File image of One Nation leader Pauline hanson

File image of One Nation leader Pauline hanson Source: AAP

Under the changes to the citizenship rules unveiled by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton on Thursday, applicants are required to be permanent residents for four years rather than 12 months, face a stand-alone English test and commit to embracing Australian values.

Applicants will only be allowed to fail the citizenship test three times.

Following the announcement, Senator Hanson took to social media, saying, "Good to see the PM is finally acting on the suggestions I made to him about the citizenship test."

WATCH: Pauline Hanson's proposes changes to citizenship during interview on January 4



She then mentioned her January appearance on the television program 'Sunrise' where she called for a citizenship test crackdown.

During her appearance, Hanson called for a complete overhaul of the testing protocols and labeled the questions in the current test "childish and laughable."

She also pushed for tighter restrictions on the amount of times an applicant could take a test, and called for new migrants to improve their English-language skills.

Earlier in the week, Senator Hanson also claimed responsibility for the government's replacement of the 457 visa program. 

She said while the government might deny it was talking tough on temporary foreign worker visas because of One Nation, "we all know the truth".

"Looks like Malcolm Turnbull has been reading One Nation 2016 campaign flyers for inspiration. Should I get a speech writing credit?" she said.
Some of the new citizenship test questions announced by Mr Turnbull on Wednesday will canvass issues such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation and child marriage.

"We need to ensure that our citizenship test enables applicants to demonstrate how they have integrated into and engaged with our Australian community, so that they're part of the community," Mr Turnbull said.

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said she didn't understand the need for the changes.

"If English grammar is the test there might be a few members of parliament who might struggle," she told ABC radio.

The existing pledge ensures new citizens commit loyalty to Australia, its people and its laws.

"I think those sentiments are pretty good," Senator Wong said, noting the opposition was yet to see the details.

- With AAP
WATCH: PM announces new citizenship rules

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3 min read
Published 20 April 2017 10:45am
Updated 20 April 2017 1:16pm
Source: SBS News


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