Australia toughens process to gain citizenship

21 April 2017 12:12 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australia, which hosts one of the largest Sri Lankan Diasporas overseas, will make it more difficult to gain citizenship in a major overhaul of its migration process, the BBC reported yesterday.

Aspiring citizens will undergo tougher tests on their English language skills and ability to demonstrate "Australian values", PM Malcolm Turnbull has said.

Applicants must also have completed four years as a permanent resident - three years longer than at present.

The move comes two days after Australia unveiled stricter visa requirements for skilled workers from overseas.

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.

In explaining what constituted "Australian values", 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.

A more stringent English language test involving reading, writing, listening and speaking is one of the other changes included in the citizenship process.

Providing evidence of integration into the community, such as employment history, school enrolment or membership of community organizations, having already been a permanent resident for at least four years, allowing applicants to apply only three times and automatically failing anyone who cheats on a test are also new changed made by the government in its migration process.

When asked about reports that applicants would be quizzed on whether they supported forced child marriage or female genital mutilation, 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?"

The requirements would apply to all new applications for citizenship, the government said.
The opposition Labor Party accused 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.

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Comments - 22

ORIGINALS Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:49 AM

The real Australian is the native aborigines. These white "...BULLS" were "TURNed" out (produced) by the Criminals who were banished from England. Such is the "australian values" in their DNA.

Ceylonese Saturday, 22 April 2017 08:16 PM

Australia may have been the dumping ground for British criminals Now they all want to come here. According to the 2016 Census

Sheri Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:35 PM

There are many Sinhalese migrated in the name of Communal riots in Srilanka.

Sheri Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:32 PM

Sreee lankanas are not better ...! Worse .......!

Neil Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:08 PM

If you are such a patriot why do you have to live in the US? Typical idiotic hypocrite!!!

Justica USA... Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:12 PM

LOL...Mr Turn Bull for a moment has forgotten the fact that Australia was a dumping ground of British CRIMINALS. All those SLs domiciled in Australia are hypocrytes pledging Alliance and saying they have integrated with Australian society...IF so why do u guys wear the SL C T-shirts instead of the Australian Sides T shirts when there are cricket matches between Australia and Sri Lanka...false sense of patriotism. Ive lived in the USA for almost 15 yrs yet didnt give up my SL citizenship...) via DM Android App

Nuwan Saturday, 22 April 2017 12:55 PM

Do you know how common that is?

lokka Saturday, 22 April 2017 12:51 PM

how about the complexion of skin would they promote to change complexion colour too

Iresha Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:39 AM

Good move for Australia but bad for Sri lanka. I know many local goblins who did all the dirty work under the sun in Sri lanka finally migrated to Australia and Canada.

desilco Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:47 AM

I GUESS THE SRI LANKANS MUST STAY AND FIGHT TO MAKE THIS NATION ONE WORTHY OF LIVING AND LEAVING IT TO BE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS ELSEWHERE. REMAIN IN YOUR COUNTRY FIGHT THE CORRUPT STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND LETS BUILD A NATION WORTHY FOR US TO STAY AND NOT LEAVE

Jayantha Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:03 AM

No one has right to argue with Australian or any other countries immigration policies ,Western countries already fucked up by vast Muslim immigration., Go ahead protect your country Australia,

Ruwan Friday, 21 April 2017 12:37 PM

If you are not fluent in any language come to Sri Lanka. We will give you the citizenship. Wonder of Asia via DM Android App

ORIGINAL AUSTRALIANs NO MORE Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:43 AM

The original Australians were slaughtered by the ancestors of the present whites who had "original criminal values" (EXPORTED FROM ENGLAND) These whites snatched the babies of the aborigenies. These values are identical to the Americans who murdered and eliminated the Red Indians to have the lands for themselves.

"Australian values" Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:31 AM

My dear sir - that is "Australian values"

rise Saturday, 22 April 2017 04:20 AM

Indians are messing up the country and creating bad name for Sri Lankans too as some think Sri Lankans as Indians. there are loads of Indians scams and came to Aussi on 467 visa to work as cooks but they never work as chefs in India all fake now cleaning and taxi driving 20 living in 2 bedroom apartments. they can go without shower or changing clothes for months. via DM iOS App

Sincere Friday, 21 April 2017 01:38 PM

By making English tests tougher, Turnbull cannot create a more loyal Australian migrants committed to Australian values. High knowledge of English cannot make them true Australians. He should implement more laws to make people more Australian than making the English tests tougher. He has most probably understood the problem but just beating the bush as a solution!

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 21 April 2017 01:34 PM

From where did the supposed original Australians came from or are they a Spontaneous Generation.

Aweej Friday, 21 April 2017 01:23 PM

Australia, US, UK and entire western world move away from HR. They understood that they end up in a disaster by open doors for all. They started reviving nationalistic approach again. Whereas we open our doors to all, kick our nationalists and implement western HR advice.

ceylon Friday, 21 April 2017 01:17 PM

what australian society dont practiceis asking foreigners to do is a joke.values here mentioned are only in books.try to apply it allnot only new citizens. via DM Android App

ceylon Friday, 21 April 2017 01:14 PM

showing arrogance is bad.how many australians respect their parents and children and wives . 80% plus dont care. via DM Android App

anura Friday, 21 April 2017 12:52 PM

Good move at last to prevent country going down the drain becoming a place that does not know to respect others. We need people that integrate into Australian society.

suda Friday, 21 April 2017 12:40 PM

female genital mutilation how disgusting is that

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Australia toughens process to gain citizenship

Comments - 22

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