By Casey Neill
Citizenship will be in the spotlight at a forum in Springvale.
Greater Dandenong Labor MPs Mark Dreyfus, Clare O’Neil and Julian Hill organised the event to discuss Federal Government changes to applying for Australian citizenship.
“The citizenship test is already in English, and conversational English has served us well for decades,” Mr Dreyfus said.
“The government’s plan to require university-standard English is ridiculous snobbery.
“If people can make a positive contribution to our country and they meet the eligibility criteria, they should be welcomed, not discouraged.”
Ms O’Neil said the changes were poorly thought out and did not “pass the fair go test”.
Mr Hill said: “We don’t want hundreds of thousands of permanent residents living in our country for years and years as an underclass, blocked from becoming citizens.”
“How would this make us a better society or safer nation?” he said.
“We should expect people who plan to settle here and live as Australians to take the pledge of allegiance to Australia sooner rather than later.”
Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton said on 20 April that “membership of the Australian family is a privilege and should be granted to those who support our values, respect our laws and want to work hard by integrating and contributing to an even better Australia”.
Mr Dutton said the changes would include requiring all applicants to pass a stand-alone English test; have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least four years instead of one; and show steps they’ve taken to integrate into and contribute to the Australian community.
He said there’d be more meaningful questions to assess an applicant’s understanding of and commitment to Australia’s shared values and responsibilities.
Applicants will only be allowed to fail the test three times, and applicants who cheat will automatically fail.
“Citizenship brings with it great privileges and responsibilities and so deserves respect and commitment from those who seek it, as well as those who are granted it,” he said.
“Those who choose to become Australian citizens are making a solemn commitment to our democracy, to our way of life.”
Mr Dutton said English language proficiency was essential for economic participation and promoted social cohesion.
The Springvale forum will give residents a chance to share their views on the changes, and will feature speeches from community leaders followed by a Q and A.
The forum will be held at the Springvale Town Hall, 397 Springvale Road, from 7pm on Tuesday 25 July.
RSVP large groups to Ms O’Neil’s office on 9545 6211.
