Few Support Citizenship Test: Mp
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday March 15, 2007
THE Federal Government has failed to prove there is strong public support for a tougher citizenship English test, according to the Liberal MP Petro Georgiou.
The Government's own analysis of public responses to its discussion paper on changes to the citizenship test had failed to show "overwhelming community support", he said.The Government is proposing a more "formal" citizenship test, which is expected to give greater emphasis to English and knowledge of Australia. A new book to guide citizenship applicants is being developed and legislation for the change is expected before the federal election.The Government's analysis of responses to its plan said 60 per cent were in favour of the test. But Mr Georgiou said that of 1600 responses only 116 were made public and 75 per cent of those opposed the new test. Respondents included all state and territory governments and church, ethnic, and civil liberty groups.None of the 1500 submissions from individuals were published on grounds of "privacy".Addressing an Italian organisation in Melbourne last night, Mr Georgiou called for a group of respected people to be appointed to investigate the impediments to learning English and to effective integration and to recommend solutions.Mr Georgiou, who has said he will oppose legislation to introduce the tougher test, said it would "stop many immigrants who are committed to Australia as their home from becoming citizens and thereby full members of our community. "The plain fact is that hundreds of thousands of native-born and immigrant Australians would not be able to pass the test." He said people were disturbed by the threat of terrorism and global change, but it was "a gargantuan leap" to assert they felt their identity was under threat and that the new citizenship test would allay those concerns.
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald