Xenophon wants Dutton to deal on ‘harsh’ citizenship package

Nick Xenophon is pressuring the government to modify its ‘harsh’ citizenship legislation to get it through the Senate

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton with Yazidi refugees at a Refugee Week event at Parliament House yesterday. Picture: Kym Smith

Crossbench senator Nick Xenophon has vented his concern at the tougher English language requirements in Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s overhaul of the ­citizenship test, pressuring the government to strike a deal to pass the legislation.

Senator Xenophon told The Australian some transitional ­arrangements could be required, saying migrants with “imperfect English” could “otherwise be ­perfect citizens in their commitment and love for Australia and Australian values”.

Labor MPs yesterday unanimously agreed to oppose the government’s citizenship changes, attacking the overhaul as political “overreach” that would change Australian society for the worse.

Labor’s opposition sets up a showdown with the Coalition after Malcolm Turnbull linked the citizenship shake-up to national security and Liberal MPs raised concerns over a possible link between new arrivals and terrorism.

The Prime Minister in parliament targeted Labor’s rejection and singled out citizenship spokesman Tony Burke’s opposition to the tougher English language test.

“They object to the proposition that Australian citizens should speak English,” Mr Turnbull said. “Does he imagine for one minute ... that an integrated society, a harmonious society, one based on shared values and mutual respect, does he seriously imagine that has nothing to do with security?”

Mr Dutton argued Labor was divided on national security. “It is clear to me that Bill Shorten has not been able to contain the left of his party again on one of these very important issues to the future of this country, to the fabric of our society (and) to national security.”

Mr Burke slammed the tougher English test as a “bizarre act of snobbery” that required potential citizens to speak and read at a university entrance level.

He also questioned why the government wanted to increase the permanent residency requirement from one to four years before citizenship could be awarded.

“This introduces permanently in Australia a large group of people ... (who) will always be told by the Australian government they don’t completely belong,” Mr Burke said yesterday. “It’s no leap of logic to say we are talking about a fundamental change in our country.”

Labor and the Greens opposition will force the government to muster the support of 10 out of the 12 Senate crossbenchers. Senator Xenophon, who controls three Senate votes, said aspects of the government bill were “unnecessarily harsh and unreasonable.”

Under the government’s proposals, potential citizens would need to lift English proficiency measured against international benchmarks, like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

“Requiring IELTS English Level 6 — equivalent to Year 12 — is something that quite a few homegrown Aussies with English speaking backgrounds may struggle with,” Senator Xenophon said.

“Transitional arrangements need to be considered for those families with children about to start university who would, under these proposed rules, be unnecessarily disadvantaged.”

Mr Burke denied Labor’s position was a rift in the bipartisan consensus on national security, arguing the government’s changes were a political move to launch Mr Dutton’s leadership aspirations.

Labor will refer the legislation to a Senate inquiry. Bill Shorten told caucus: “Demanding university level English sends a message to every Australian that there are two sorts of Australian and it’s only the ones who reach university level English who the government really wants.”