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Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Australian citizenship test to be radically overhauled

29/08/2008 7:18:00 AM.  | AAP
Australia's citizenship test set-up by the Howard government is set for a major overhaul after a review found it to be flawed and discriminatory.

Richard Woolcott is the head of a committee commissioned to review the test and has told News Ltd newspapers the 2006-document needs reform.

The committee is believed to have forwarded its opinion to Immigration Minister Chris Evans in a report.

"The standout recommendation would be that the present test is flawed and seen by some as intimidatory and needs substantial reform," Mr Woolcott told News Ltd.

While Mr Howard continually defended the test, it faced much criticism for including questions which opponents claimed focussed too much on historical knowledge and the English language.

"Many of the (review) submissions thought that the standard of English required was too high and discriminated against non-English speaking migrants, of which there are of course an increasing number," Mr Woolcott said.

The committee received 170 submissions from members of the public and has forwarded 32 recommendations to the government.

Mr Woolcott declined to comment on what those recommendations are.

Senator Evans' office confirmed receiving the report and a spokeswoman said it is being considered.

COMMENTS

Friday, 29 August 2008

Why don't we abandon our history and heritage and just let anyone in (NOT!). More left wing looney ideology.

Posted by: Geoff Bolton, Lane Cove

Friday, 29 August 2008

The Whitlam Gov. let anyone in with Al's Easy Visa. When the number of illegals reached tens of thousands they gave them amnesty, further numbers came by boat and were made welcome. If we had an effective immigration program there would be no need for the ethnic crime squads.

Posted by: Rob Banks, Canmberra

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

Discriminatory against who? I've been served in shops where the people BEHIND the counter talked to each other, in front of customers, in a foreign language. I've walked out of several shops because the person serving me couldn't understand what I was asking for. NO ENGLISH. It made me feel like a foreigner in my own country. Isn't that discriminatory. I would understand having to do sign language if I was in THEIR country of origin but not in mine. English should be learnt and USED here.

Posted by: colleen a, Sydney

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

How the hell can you focus TOO much on the language of this country? Especially when this dopey government are now all out to improve the maths and english skills of our students. What's the point if this is to become a non english speaking country? It's not enough for migrants to come here and LEARN our language, they should SPEAK it, at the very least when in public so WE don't feel discriminated against. Or aren't we, Australians, not important enough in the scheme of things? And our heritage

Posted by: colleen a, Sydney

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

Well at least we know we aren't deserving of knowing what the changes will be. I just love hearing that line from those who are MEANT to have OUR interests at HEART. My own Fault really, I should have known better than to expect to have polliticians with any kind of HEART. Stupid me.

Posted by: Nick Again, Maryborough

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

The book has a lot of irrelevent historical rubbish (some of the history is important but not all of it. Seriously who cares about "famous aussies"! I think the politial & legal system, is extremely important & should be tested to a higher level (for citizens & school kids). I am a HUGE advocate of multicultural Australia, BUT if you want to become a citizen, then I firmly believe you must speak & write english to a school certificate standard.

Posted by: Concerned Liberal, Minto

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

Yes, you are important, Colleen. You are the backbone of the country. You are what make it Australian. Hold the line against the libs. If it were up to me, on one would get into the USA until they could prove fluency in the English language at the US Emassy or consulate in their country. Speaking it, writing it and reading it. Everytime they relax the rules, they are hurting your country. Not strengthening it. A pox on the libs.

Posted by: Pithy Opiner, California, USA

Friday, 29 August 2008

Pithy - a quick lesson is Aussie politics. In the US you have the republicans (conservative), & the democrats (liberals). Here, our liberal party is a combination of your democrats & republicans & it sit in the middle of your two parties. Then our other major party is the labor party which is far more left than anything you have. So Colleen, is a Liberal party voter here, but she is more right wing than I (she can clarify that if I'm wrong). I am liberal here, but definately a democrat in the US

Posted by: Concerned Liberal, Minto

Friday, 29 August 2008

"HA HA", read your post PITHED ONE....pack the bag....turn out the light on the way out.....Fluent indeed....ROFL...

Posted by: Nick Again, Maryborough

Friday, 29 August 2008

Pithy, maybe YOU should sit the Citizenship Test! It's Labor you fool, not the Liberals that (I think) you are complaining about? BTW - get a sensible name, it adds credibility.

Posted by: Geoff Bolton, Lane Cove

Friday, 29 August 2008

I kind of Look at the Labor Party as the "HEAD" of the "LABOR UNIONS", therfore PITHED ONE, I would relate them to your "MAFIA" of the "OLD DAYS". eg When the mafia had a finger in every pie. Our LIBS tried to "SMASH Em", with the IR laws, Which are Slowly being repealed...Like Your COUNTRY, our pollies are in it for their EGO and GAIN. Some are in it for the GLOBALISATION gig. Still for their OWN GAIN. Occassionally you get one for the people but Corruption prevails......eventually.

Posted by: Nick again, Maryborough

Friday, 29 August 2008

Concerned Liberal, Minto, That was dishonest. Pithy, The Aus Liberals are to the right of the Third Reich, The moved to the extreme right under John Howard and they have shown no signs of coming back. The Nationals are the HillBilliy part who go along with the Nazi Libs. The Labour party is the right of center party and the Greens are the only left wing party of any importance. The Libs are further right than your Republicans, Labour is a bit like your Demacrats. The Libs tell lies all the time.

Posted by: Graeme Henderson, Darling Downs

Friday, 29 August 2008

Graeme....The democrats are called LIBERALS in the US...And for all those who bleat on about libs being conservative - this is why some of us get cranky - I am no where near a conservative (UK) or republican (US), the liberal party is divided - the nationals, and the far right of the party are one thing, but theres a lot in the party, and a lot who vote that are NOT right wing. Traditionally labor IS left of centre here, but with Rudd, who knows, he seems to hope all over the place.

Posted by: Concerned Liberal, Minto

Monday, 01 September 2008

Graeme can't even spell the name of the party he so blindly follows! Graeme's credibility: ZERO.

Posted by: DJ C, Baulkham Hills

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

You might as well give the citizenship out when you arrive at Sydney airport without the test because it makes no difference. Once they get it they resort back to the same old thing. In my street we have the the united nations and when one watches them they only have people of their kind and no one else. But when they have a problem they are the first at my front door, all I do now is tell them go to Centrelink.

Posted by: Joe Gatt, Blacktown

Friday, 29 August 2008

Joe (Bro!) Gatt, I agree. Many of my best mates are from non-Australian backgrounds. They are great people. All speak English. They must otherwise THEY can't communicate. I'm all for tolerance and understanding, but (by definition) understanding requies a COMMON language. And here that happens to be ENGLISH. If you don't like it, don't come here.

Posted by: Gareth Benson, Blacktown

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

Regardless of what anyone thinks this is Australia and anyone wanting to come here should assimilate as best as possible - including the wearing of clothing. We have too many groups in this country who are taking over the country-we do accept multiculturalism but we should not accept a takeover by minorities and that the majority should accept it-there is a difference in all of this.The migrants who made this country did not cause the problems yet we have too many extremists now (religion just doesn't mix in any of this and should be kept completely separate to the real issues on foot and many are missing the plot completely and then claim that Australians are racists-far from it.Racism was a lot more prevalent back in the late 40's, 50's, 60's and not just here-it just doesn't happen to the degree people think it does and if there is a small minority of racists then so be it-they obviously have no understanding of a situation - it doesn't mean everyone thinks in that way.You won't ge

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

Friday, 29 August 2008

And how about on entry," what is your trade", ok we have a placement for you in this part of the country, you will spend 5yrs in that town as part of entry REQ., You will Train an Apprentice in your trade at this place as part of your entry REQ. We are after all in need of SKILLED labor yes? Sydney/Melb dont need All immigrants surely? Spread them out. Rellies can travel, We have transport. Holidays. Disperse and ASSIMILATE.Not colonise into mini satelites of distrust and poverty and unemployed

Posted by: Nick Again, maryborough

Friday, 29 August 2008

cont'd:You won't get everyone agreeing on everything however the intelligent majority think otherwise and that is what everyone needs to realise and stop the rubbish entering this country either illegally or not assimilating and placing their beliefs before the ideals of others in this country-this also includes the wearing of specific clothing which is only to do with their own religion-why should this country be forced to accept this-anyone travelling or living overseas will know you abide by the laws of each country you are in-see how far it will get you if you try to change it-absolutely no where-the same should apply here and people need to realise this before they cry wolf and make claims of racism.This country will be ruined if people are not screened appropriately.

Posted by: Dan Concerned, *

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

It seems the Rudd Government wants to turn our country into an easy place for those immigrants that cannot reach the standards required by other countries to reside in Australia and destroy our way of life. Remember how Keating's forcing Sheik Hilali's entry to Australia despite advice against it?

Posted by: John Fossey, Sydney

 

Friday, 29 August 2008

I dont see why they need to test about Australian history & heritage in a citizenship test when they dont teach it at school. I have 1 daughter just graduated from Uni,1 at uni,I like to think they are well educated. During a recent family discussion they had no idea who Burke & Wills,Wentworth & Lawson were & Charles Sturt was some guy that named a flower somewhere. They are not taught about Australia being discovered but invaded. Dont bother with a test may as well just let anyone qualify.

Posted by: Jennifer T, Bulli

Friday, 29 August 2008

Jennifer you will be pleased to know that things have now changed back to when your kids where at school. My daughters are in primary school (NSW) & are hammered daily with Australian history from the landing onwards. That being said, it all ends at the end of year 8...from yr 9 onwards they choose their electives. I also have many relatives in their 20's & they havn't got a clue about history or civics generally.

Posted by: Concerned Liberal, Minto

Friday, 29 August 2008

Concerned Liberal, thanks for that but I also still have kids in primary school and High School and apart from a short bit on convicts and now Ned Kelly they have done nothing on the explorers etc , maybe when my pre-schooler starts in a couple of years it might be different. Maybe thats the difference between the State and Catholic system that we are in.

Posted by: Jennifer T, Bulli

Friday, 29 August 2008

I would recommend you go to an ABC book shop and puchase a copy of the book " The Singing Line". If this doesnt get them reading more of our History, Nothing will.

Posted by: Nick Again, maryborough

Friday, 29 August 2008

Jennifer, we are in the Public system, but I think its going to be different at every school (public or private). We've done a wide variety of Aussie history inc some explorers. My 10yo has just come back from her Canberra trip which was all ab