Possible Australians may have to answer questions about anti -Semitism to win citizenship if the government form coalition in May.
The coalition has revealed that it will add new questions to the citizenship test to measure attitudes towards the Jews, since it proposes ways of addressing the growing security concerns.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said the questions would help defend Australian values during the citizenship process.
“I think it’s time for us to affirm our values and people who listen very clearly,” he told reporters.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said that the new questions would help defend Australian values during the citizenship process. Fountain: AAPA / Lukas Coch
The opposition treasure spokesman, Angus Taylor, explained that people who hoped to become Australian citizens cannot show opinions that can exacerbate a “completely unacceptable” increase in antisemy attacks.
“We will strengthen our citizenship test to ensure that there is a specific question there, criteria around anti -Semitism because we have seen an unbridled anti -Semitism in this country,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday morning.
“And those who come to this country must be sure that they will not … perpetuate that unacceptable behavior that we have seen in recent times.”
According to the reports of nine newspapers.
SBS News has contacted the immigration spokesman for the opposition office, Dan Tehan, to confirm how the test would be modified and if a question has been written.
Given the scarce details around the plan, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out the suggestion as no more than a “thought bubble.”
“We will see if it lasts until, you know, a couple of hours away, yesterday it did not arrive at lunchtime,” he said.
The citizenship proposal occurs one day after Dutton floated pursuing powers to supply citizens to be used in dual citizens if they have committed a serious crime.
The coalition seemed divided on the subject, with Senator Michaelia Cash saying that while “all the options were on the table”, there was no “plan” to maintain the referendum required to grant the powers.
Germany qualifies anti -Semitic attitudes in the citizenship test
The plan follows similar to the German citizenship test in 2024 in the midst of an increase in antisemy attacks.
Germany now requires that potential citizens answer a variety of additional questions about anti -Semitism, the state of Israel and the holocaust events.
This includes asking applicants to identify examples of anti -Semitic behavior of a list of multiple choice responses.
The German politics Nancy Faeser said that the country would not have “tolerance” for anti -Semitism, racism or other forms of contempt while legislating changes.
Support for the citizenship test to ‘cover racism in all its forms’
Dr. Hass Dellal, executive director of the Multicultural Foundation Australian, welcomes a change, but said the question should cover all forms of racism.
He said that hate, based in any way, “is unacceptable in a multicultural Australia.”
“The citizenship test is designed to evaluate a variety of areas that include an understanding of Australia, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, and an understanding and commitment to Australia in the first place and with its values based on freedom, respect and equality,” Dellal said in a statement to SBS News.
“Within this context, the citizenship test should cover racism in all its forms, but not solar, since it can have involuntary consequences, for example, which implies that a form of vilipendancy is more important than another.”
Dellal was in the panel of the multicultural framework for last year, examining the changes in the laws and policies that would strengthen multiculturalism.
Among the 29 recommendations was an immediate review of the proof of Australian citizenship, which includes considering providing the language test other than English and the most accessible formats.
He advised that the test in his current format “discourages potential applicants and feels the basis of a less cozy environment for newcomers.”
In his response, the government promised to be guided by the principles of the framework to “ensure that Australian multicultural environments are suitable for the purpose to take advantage of the talents of all Australians.”
In 2020, the Morrison government modified the Citizenship Test of Australia for the first time in a decade.
He added five multiple choice questions that interrogated “Australian values”, including mutual respect, equality and democracy.
While there were no changes in the English language or residence requirements, the Government also focused on increasing the mastery of the English language through free lessons.
