In a major overhaul of the citizenship law, the Australian government has announced migrants seeking Australian citizenship will have to embrace Australian values and meet the English language requirements.
A new citizenship test, besides assessing their commitment to Australia, their attitudes towards gender equality and whether they have assimilated with the Australian social values, will also test their English proficiency by including a reading, writing and listening test.
If an applicant fails the test three times, they will have to wait for two years before they are allowed to attempt the test again.
Those seeking Australian citizenship will have to demonstrate that they have integrated into the Australian society by way of joining clubs, employment and enrolling their children in schools.
The new test includes questions on domestic violence, genital mutilation and child marriage but the government denies the test is targeted at the Muslim community.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says they're targeted at those who think domestic violence is OK when it's not.
"I believe very strongly against domestic violence and I think perpetrators of domestic violence or people who would advocate violence against women don't deserve Australian citizenship," said Mr Dutton.
Mr Turnbull says Australia's multicultural society is an example to the world, but it must reflect Australian values.
"We're not defined by race or religion or culture, as many other nations are. We're defined by commitment to common values, political values, the rule of law, democracy, freedom, mutual respect, equality for men and women."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says his governments planned changes to citizenship laws will be empowering for migrants.
Is it unreasonable to say that people should have a competent understanding and ability to read and write and speak English to become an Australian citizen? he told SBS News in an exclusive interview.
The new rules would require applicants to be a permanent resident for four years, up from the current 12 months, face a stand-alone English test and commit to embracing Australian values.
The changes paid greater respect to citizenship, Mr Turnbull said, insisting Australias success as a multicultural nation was because national identity was defined by shared political values such as freedom, the rule of law, democracy, equality of men and women and a fair go.
