AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

New Australian Citizenship Test

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

The Rudd government aims to dump John Howard’s citizenship test for migrants, and replace it with a simpler test based on democratic values rather than obscure historical or sporting facts.

In a review of the current citizenship test, Immigration Minister Chris Evans will announce a major overhaul of the test.

"The Rudd Government is committed to the Citizenship test" he said. "It encourages potential citizens to find out more about Australia and understand the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship".

The proposed new test will be based on the five-line Pledge of Commitment recited by new citizens, recognizing Australia’s democratic beliefs and laws, as well as the rights and liberties of citizens.

The new test will also remove unnecessary items and obscure questions which are potential obstacles for certain sectors of the community and vulnerable groups such as refugees.

"The changes will ensure that the test does not disadvantage these people who most need our support", Senator Evans said.

Experts will be recruited to write a resource book on the test, which includes and testable and non-testable section. The testable section will contain questions will focus on basic democratic concepts associated with the Pledge.

The Rudd Government has however stated that the pass mark will rise to 75 per cent, from the current 60 per cent pass mark.

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