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Australia unveils major changes to citizenship process Australia unveils major changes to citizenship process
(6 months later)
Australia will make it more difficult to gain citizenship in a major overhaul of its migration process.Australia will make it more difficult to gain citizenship in a major overhaul of its migration process.
Aspiring citizens will undergo tougher tests on their English language skills and ability to demonstrate "Australian values", PM Malcolm Turnbull said.Aspiring citizens will undergo tougher tests on their English language skills and ability to demonstrate "Australian values", PM Malcolm Turnbull said.
Applicants must also have completed four years as a permanent resident - three years longer than at present.Applicants must also have completed four years as a permanent resident - three years longer than at present.
The new process will require parliamentary approval before it is implemented.
The move comes two days after Australia unveiled stricter visa requirements for skilled workers from overseas.The move comes two days after Australia unveiled stricter visa requirements for skilled workers from overseas.
Mr Turnbull said the changes would ensure that migrants were better integrated into the community.Mr Turnbull said the changes would ensure that migrants were better integrated into the community.
"It is important that they understand that they are making a commitment to our Australian values," he said."It is important that they understand that they are making a commitment to our Australian values," he said.
What are the changes?What are the changes?
In explaining what constituted "Australian values", Mr Turnbull said migrants must demonstrate support for religious freedom and gender equality.In explaining what constituted "Australian values", Mr Turnbull said migrants must demonstrate support for religious freedom and gender equality.
"Respect for women and children ... that is a key Australian value," he said, adding domestic violence would not be tolerated."Respect for women and children ... that is a key Australian value," he said, adding domestic violence would not be tolerated.
Other changes to the citizenship process include:Other changes to the citizenship process include:
When asked about reports that applicants would be quizzed on whether they supported forced child marriage or female genital mutilation, Mr Turnbull said it was important to "reinforce our values".When asked about reports that applicants would be quizzed on whether they supported forced child marriage or female genital mutilation, Mr Turnbull said it was important to "reinforce our values".
"If we believe that respect for women and children [is an Australian value]... then why should that not be made a key part, a fundamental part, a very prominent part, of our process to be an Australian citizen?""If we believe that respect for women and children [is an Australian value]... then why should that not be made a key part, a fundamental part, a very prominent part, of our process to be an Australian citizen?"
Tightening rulesTightening rules
The requirements would apply to all new applications for citizenship, the government said.The requirements would apply to all new applications for citizenship, the government said.
On Tuesday, the government said it would replace a controversial visa scheme to make it harder for foreign nationals to work in Australia.On Tuesday, the government said it would replace a controversial visa scheme to make it harder for foreign nationals to work in Australia.
Mr Turnbull said both announcements had been made in the national interest.Mr Turnbull said both announcements had been made in the national interest.
The opposition Labor Party accused Mr Turnbull of making announcements for political gain.The opposition Labor Party accused Mr Turnbull of making announcements for political gain.
"It seems a little odd to me that you would actually ask people whether or not they are going to obey the law when they already pledge to obey the law," said Labor senator Penny Wong."It seems a little odd to me that you would actually ask people whether or not they are going to obey the law when they already pledge to obey the law," said Labor senator Penny Wong.