The government’s own multicultural council says proposed changes to toughen the English language test for prospective citizens are too harsh and especially unfair on refugees.
And it has rejected the idea of a multiple-choice test to determine a person’s commitment to “Australian values” as an ineffective measure, warning Australia must not lose its commitment to freedom and openness “in its search to maintain national security”.
The Australian Multicultural Council – appointed by the social services minister – has made a forthright submission to a Senate inquiry investigating the proposed citizenship changes.
Since announcing its proposed new citizenship rules in April, the government has defended the changes as being in the nation’s long-term security and cohesive interests.
Introducing the citizenship changes bill to parliament, the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said the changes put “Australian values at the heart of citizenship processes”.
“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 … we must ensure that our citizenship program is conducted in our national interest.”
But the specifics of the government’s changes have been criticised as overly onerous by community groups, migrant organisations, and by the opposition, who argue it will create a “permanent underclass” of long-term residents who can never become citizens.
Of particular concern are proposals to increase the residency requirement for permanent residents from one year to four, and to introduce a stand-alone English test, requiring prospective citizens to read, write, listen and speak English at a university entrance level.
Prospective citizens will also have to demonstrate integration into the Australian community, as well as Australian “shared values”.
The Multicultural Council said the proposed English language test was too onerous.
“While recognising that the ability to communicate in English is clearly important to achieving integration, the council is concerned that the language test being considered by government will adopt a standard that is too high and above that needed to achieve the aim of integration,” the council wrote in its submission.
The council also said the unchallengeable powers vested in the minister on citizenship decisions were unfair, especially on refugees.
“An amendment that enables the minister to determine that a person who fails the test three times does not meet the eligibility requirements and should have their application refused is likely to disproportionally affect migrants from various visa and country groups, particularly humanitarian entrants.”
And the council said it was “unconvinced” of the merits of a citizenship test to determine a prospective citizen’s understanding and commitment to Australian values.
“A much truer test of a person’s values lies in their actions, not in their ability to pass a multiple choice test, (which can be compromised by inadequate English language skills).”
The Australian Multicultural Council is appointed by the social services minister to provide advice to government on multicultural affairs policy and programs.
Re-established in 2011, it is currently headed by former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski, who authored the submission.
The submission concludes that Australia’s attitude towards migration should remain welcoming and positive, and that the successful integration of migrants into Australia depended as much upon government and community efforts as it did upon those of migrants.
“A two-way integration and mutual obligation approach requires that government takes more responsibility to remove obstacles to integration, particularly as they relate to employment, English language acquisition and robust access and equity policies. A welcoming community that respects diversity and provides equal opportunities for all enhances the sense of belonging that migrants feel, and their ability to participate.”
A commitment to welcoming and supporting migrants should not be lost amid concerns over national security, council chief Ozdowski wrote.
“Australia has always welcomed those who have travelled here to be a part of our wonderfully free and open society, to build better lives for themselves and their children and to contribute to this nation. It is important therefore that Australia, as a nation, not lose the opportunities that this openness allows, in its search to maintain national security.”
Dutton’s office did not respond to questions regarding the Multicultural Council’s submission.
