(Australian) Government unveils new citizenship test

[demoleft]

Source: AAP/Herald Sun

MIGRANTS will need to learn English and endorse the values of mateship and a fair go in order to become Australian citizens under a tough new test.
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"This is part of the Government's emphasis that we continue to get that balance between diversity and integration correct in future, particularly as we now draw people from so many different countries and so many different cultures," Immigration Minister Mr Andrews said today.
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Migrants would also need to demonstrate an adequate level of understanding of English.
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Kate Gauthier, the national co-ordinator of refugee advocacy group A Just Australia, criticised the Government for introducing a citizenship exam, saying many refugees would find it difficult to pass an exam.



Read more: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22309787-5005961,00.html

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Mrs Gauthier's point is fundamental.

Australia states it wants to be an open Country at ease with the modern world and, at the same time, state that the only immigrants that will be accepted are educated, English-speaking, and even not ignorant of the first Prime Minister's name or of the floral emblem of the Country (answers are given in the link to the Herald Sun, in case you're interested in the form!).
Well, this is not at all modern. Immigration is becoming a luxury for rich middle-class people - the old Victorian dream that the new younger blood to revive our old western veins will be chosen, respectable and presentable.

Good to know. Poor people had better look elsewhere.

BBC on the test:
"Some elements will almost certainly be beyond the knowledge of many ordinary Australians, says the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney."

BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6964471.stm

[Posteritatis]

1. Some of those questions are absurd

What the hell does knowing the national flower have to do with whether one would make a good citizen or not?

Understanding the system of government, geography, significant parts of the history, the civics, those are all well and good, but bullshit trivia like that has no purpose except to reduce the number of passes.

[skids]

2. Or more useful stuff...

...like how to deal with an angry Croc.

[Ellen Forradalom]

3. Or how to identify deadly Australian snakes and spiders

The world's most venomous snakes and spiders are largely found in Oz...and often turn up in suburban backyards. How to deal with that is more useful information than the national flower!

[Socal31]

4. Crikey!

Too soon?

[skids]

5. I dunno what was the rule again? 6 months? n/t

[Andrushka]

6. For a look at how Aus media has been treating this topic

and the traditional sensationalist stories on Asian immigration, check out this link. Truly shameful and idiotic.

Media Watch (ABC TV) "Passing the Pavlova Test" (4:50)

http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/watch/default.htm?program=mediawatch&pres=20070813_2120&story=2