Test average for The Don in new citizenship handbook

17 Sep 2009, 5:14 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The Don features on just one page in the new citizenship handbook, with the number of words dedicated to his exploits only barely beating his Test average of 99.94.

The Don features on just one page in the new citizenship handbook, with the number of words dedicated to his exploits only barely beating his Test average of 99.94.

Potential new citizens can still read that Sir Donald Bradman is the "greatest cricketer of all time", and "was already an Australian legend" at the age of 21, but they won't have to answer any questions about him.

The test has been overhauled by the Rudd government to make it fairer and more relevant to migrants of all backgrounds.

Those sitting the test will be required to answer 20 multiple choice questions while the pass mark will rise from 60 per cent to 75 per cent.

But rather than facing questions about Australia's sporting heroes, potential new citizens will instead be quizzed on their understanding of their civic duty and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans unveiled the new test material on Thursday as ceremonies were held across the country to induct hundreds of new Australians, marking 60 years of citizenship.

Sir Don was never in the original test, and Senator Evans said he didn't have a problem with him not being in the new version.

"I understand there are more words about Don in this one than there were in the old one but he's not in the test," Senator Evans said.

He said the new test would give people a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities and the contract they're entering into as citizens.

"I want people applying for Australian citizenship to know things such as under Australian law domestic violence is illegal, that you are not entitled to hit women in Australia.

"That seems to me to be much more relevant than understanding whether Don, whether Walter Lindrum was good at billiards."

The previous test was more like a quiz on Australiana, he said. "It was drafted quickly, there was a lot of politics surrounding its development."

The new test, which potential new citizens will begin sitting from October 19, includes questions about the significance of Anzac Day and the role of the governor-general.

Those sitting the test will need to know that newspapers can write about any topic and that men and women have the same rights, but unlike the old version, they won't have to identify South Australia as the festival state or know Captain Cook's ship was the Endeavour.

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