Neediest Flunk Aussie Test
The Age
Tuesday January 29, 2008
ALMOST all skilled migrants who sit the citizenship test are passing, but one in five of those in the "humanitarian" program, which includes refugees, is failing.
One in 10 people who have come in the family stream migration program have failed the test, according to results of its first three months' operation. But only 3% of those in the skilled stream failed.The Rudd Government will continue the test, which was introduced by its predecessor. But it is looking to change the content of some of the questions and also to provide more assistance to groups who are finding it harder to pass.The nature of the test - which covers responsibility of citizenship, Australian values, history and society and governing Australia - is obviously making it harder for refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan to become citizens. People are given a booklet from which questions are drawn, but some of the material covers detailed Australian idiom and sportsmen. The analysis, released today, shows that 25 failed out of 1128 migrants from Britain who sat the test. In contrast, of 676 from Iraq, 109 failed, and of 262 from Afghanistan, 65 failed. The Sudanese also had a high failure rate: 70 out of 236. But only seven of 641 Indians failed, and only 30 of 725 Chinese. Overall, 93% of people who sat the test passed on their first or subsequent attempt. Between October and December last year, 9043 people sat the test.Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the Government was confident that the "test can play a valuable role in helping new citizens understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. But we need to make sure that the test does not disadvantage those people who most need our support."Applicants came from 172 countries, led by Britain, China, Iraq and India. A total of 9043 people sat the test. People who came under the skill stream of the migration program accounted for 43.8% of all participants; those who came under the family stream for 21.6%, and those under the humanitarian program 16.9%. Senator Evans said the Government would commission a review of the test in April to assess its operation after six months of experience. He said more work needed to be done to make sure the right questions were asked and there were not unintended barriers for people who wished to become citizens.
© 2008 The Age