The Citizenship Test Is Copping An Aussie Values Shake-Up & JFC, Here We Go

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Published

April 19, 2017

The Australian citizenship test is set for a revamp, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull indicating that sweeping changes will be made to the process.

Under the proposed changes, the test will include a dedicated English reading, writing and listening component, and a section devoted to applicants’ understanding of Australian values.

As it stands, the government hasn’t outlined what exactly those questions will entail, but Turnbull says they’ll consult with the Aussie people before locking ’em down.

Read: the powers that be want the thing changed to reflect our deepest beliefs, but won’t go ahead and outline what those beliefs are. Good.

Aussie values?

In any case, it’s thought the new test will likely include questions relating to religious tolerance, domestic violence, and child marriage.

Applicants will also be required to show proof of what the government constitutes as adhering to the Australian way of life. Along with evidence of employment, applicants will be required to show how they contribute to community organisations.

Again, a list of eligible organisations hasn’t yet been released.

The test will also become harder in more abstract ways – applicants will be required to have resided in Australia for four years, up from the current requirement of one year, and applicants will only be allowed to fail it three times before they face a two-year waiting period to try again.

Turnbull said “membership of the Australian family is a privilege and should be afforded to those who support our values,” with Immigration Minister Peter Dutton likening Aussie citizenship to a “big prize.”

This all comes a couple of days after Turnbull announced the government’s axing of the 457 foreign visa program, and it adds to the government’s newfound focus on toughening the nation’s immigration policies even further.

Expect some hot takes on this one in the days to come.

Source: ABC / news.com.au.
Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty.