Australia’s citizenship requirements have been tightened by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull for the good of the nation and to underlie Australian values.
Under these new extensive rules, in order to obtain Australian citizenship, a person must be competent in the English language which includes speaking, reading and writing since the test is only taken in English.
Besides having competency in the English language, a person will now be required to be a permanent resident Australia for at least four years. Currently, one year is needed to be a citizen of Australia.
Another requirement that will be imposed under these new rules is to show prove of steps taken to integrate and contribute to the Australian Community. This could include membership of an organization, evidence of employment, or even school enrollment if a person has children. Criminal background checks will also be a requirement to gaining citizenship.
People will be able to make submissions until June on how Australian values might be tested and afterward the proposal are going to be approved in parliament.
According to minister Turnbull, this new Australian citizenship test would reflect Australian values instead of the current multiple choice format that was taken. He also mentions it is good for the applicants as it is for the nation.
With these new rules, Australia is at the front of the global movement to limit migration and turn citizenship into something more as a reward for assimilating into the country. An approval that parliament will make.
There have already been accusations against the conservative government for adopting policies on anti-Muslim political party One Nation through the new test to gain Australian citizenship by the activist group, GetUp.
However, Australia has been a great example of successful mass immigration with 27 percent of its population is foreign born from more than 2 hundred countries that the world does not realize.
