Malcolm Turnbull’s new citizenship test will weed out terrorists, wife beaters and criminals

IMMIGRANTS wanting to become Australians will be tested on their values, ability to speak English and they will also have to wait four years as part of the change to citizenship rules announced today.

Malcolm Turnbull said the government was “putting Australian values at the heart of citizenship”. Picture: Kym Smith

• NEW CITIZENS GRATEFUL FOR STANDARD OF LIVING
• BATTERED MOTHERS FAILING TO REPORT ABUSE

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull unveiled sweeping changes to the citizenship test this morning, designed to specifically weed out terrorists, wife beaters and criminals.

“It’s all about sharing Australian values which have made this a country to be envied,” he said

“Australian citizenship should be honoured, cherished. It is a privilege.”

Immigrants wanting to become Australians will be asked tough new questions such as “can you strike your spouse in the privacy of your home?”

The wide-ranging shake-up to the citizenship test will also include strict new English language ­requirements, including a reading, writing and listening test.

There will also be more “meaningful” questions to assess whether they are committed to “shared values and ­responsibilities”.

PM Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Dutton, the Minister for Immigration, announce the changes today. Picture: Kym Smith

Other questions will include “does Australia’s principle of freedom of ­religion mean that in some situations it is permissible to force children to marry?” and “under what circumstances is it appropriate to prohibit girls from education?”

“We need to ensure that our citizenship test enables applicants to demonstrate how they have integrated into and engaged with our Australian community so that they’re part of the community,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Membership of the Australian family is a privilege and should be afforded to those who support our values, ­respect  our laws and want to work hard by integrating and contributing to an even better Australia.”

Mr Turnbull said it is vital the citizenship ­program is conducted in the national interest.

“Any conduct that is inconsistent with Australian values will be considered as part of this process,” he said.

“Criminal activity, including family violence or involvement in organised crime, is thoroughly inconsistent with Australian values.”

 

The new test, to weed out conduct inconsistent with Australian values, could also include questions about criminal activities, violence against women and children, and involvement with gangs or organised crime. Those questions will be put to public ­consultation.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton denied the changes were targeted at any one religion, but rather at particular behaviour and attitudes.

“They’re pointed at people who might think that domestic violence is OK. Well it’s not,” he said.

Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the existing pledge ensured new citizens committed loyalty to Australia, its people and its laws.

“I think those sentiments are pretty good,” she said. “If English grammar is the test there might be a few members of parliament who might struggle.”

The proposed changes will require permanent residents to wait four years before applying for ­citizenship.

The current system requires a one-year wait.

Applicants will also have to prove what steps those permanent residents have taken to contribute to the community, including evidence of employment and schooling.

Applicants who fail the test three times will have to wait two years before they can try again — currently there is no limit.

Applicants who fail the test three times will have to wait two years before they can try again.

And any cheating will result in an automatic failure.

The announcement comes as One Nation and conservative independent Cory Bernardi moved to take credit for the Turnbull government’s increasingly tough stance on temporary foreign workers and immigration.

The Saturday Telegraph revealed in November that the citizenship test was going to be overhauled.

It came after high-level meetings were convened to discuss how to ­remove failed migrants. In some cases, they had become some of the country’s worst criminals.

Lindt siege terrorist Man Haron Monis arrived from Iran on a one month visa in 1996 and, despite ongoing security concerns, was able to gain citizenship in 2004.

Lindt siege gunman Man Haron Monis came from Iran on a one month visa.

The current citizenship test was introduced by the Howard government in 2006, with multiple choice  questions on Australian history, democracy, the government and the law.

The most recent Immigration ­Department statistics show 136,572 people drawn from 210 countries ­became citizens in the 12 months to June 2015.

More than 17.5 per cent, or 24,236 were from India, followed by Britain with 20,583 and the Philippines with 8996.

Of the 114,109 who sat the citizenship test, 98.6 per cent passed with an average of 1.2 attempts.