Australians – and those contemplating becoming Aussie citizens – should applaud Turnbull’s moves to raise the bar

AUSTRALIANS – and those contemplating becoming Aussie citizens – should applaud Turnbull’s moves to raise the bar, writes James Morrow.

Becoming an Australian citizen should be a bit tougher than getting your L-plates.

I say this as an immigrant who, ten years ago and after many years living in Sydney under a series of temporary and, eventually, permanent resident visas, decided to fully commit myself to this country which welcomed me and gave me a new home in which to build a career, a family, and a life.

I still remember sweating – completely needlessly, by the way – over the brief test, introduced by John Howard, which I had to sit back in 2007.

I passed with flying colours, despite nearly choosing a few wrong answers because I couldn’t believe the questions were so easy.

Today’s Daily Telegraph cartoon

And to my eternal shame I also remember a few years later turning up to Roads & Maritime to get my L’s after a lifetime living in cities relying on public transport. I blew up completely on the simple 20-question quiz that would have allowed me drive no faster than 80ks an hour in the company of a sober, licensed driver. (I passed the next time, for the record).

The comparative ease of earlier citizenship requirements compared to something as simple as a learner driver’s test is exactly why Australians – and even those who are contemplating becoming Australian – should applaud Malcolm Turnbull’s moves to raise the bar for prospective citizens.

James Morrow is the Opinion Editor at the Daily Telegraph

Among the changes announced are an increase in the time a permanent resident must wait before applying for citizenship from 12 months to four years as well as a new requirement to pass an English proficiency test.

As well, those who want the right not just to live here and pay taxes but also, crucially, vote in our elections will have to subscribe to a new citizenship pledge, affirm that they do not support violence against women, child marriage, or female genital mutilation, and provide evidence of integration into the community. This includes work history and tax returns.

None of these requirements are particularly onerous. Other countries are far stricter about who they will let join their national families.

Malcolm Turnbull address citizenship test. Image: supplied.

The United States, probably the greatest immigrant nation in the history of the world, requires most applicants for citizenship to have lived in the country as a permanent resident for five years with no trips overseas lasting longer than six months during that time.

Nor is Australia becoming Switzerland, where citizenship applications are put to a vote of the prospective migrant’s neighbours. Earlier this year a Dutch national saw her application to become a Swiss knocked back for the second time because locals found her militant veganism annoying.

“The Australian community expects that aspiring citizens demonstrate their allegiance to Australia, their commitment to live in accordance with Australian values and their willingness to integrate into and become contributing members of the Australian community”, Turnbull said, demonstrating that when it comes to citizenship and national identity, he gets it.

Because while there will always be a healthy debate over the specifics of what are and are not Australian “values”, today the prime minister articulated a simple truth.

Namely, that while an immigrant nation must never allow itself to be defined by the limiting bonds of race or religion, it will only succeed as a community if new arrivals sign up to the same civic creed as those already here.

James Morrow is Opinion Editor of the Daily Telegraph and a fully-licensed driver.