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.
Prabhjot Sandhu, a Sydney-based migration consultant says the move will have a significant impact on migrants who want to call Australia home.
“It is a tough call and it's creating a big chaos in migrant communities,” said Mr Sandhu.
“The debate has already started on what it means to be an Australian. So does that mean that not people but the government will decide if ‘you are or you not an Australian’ by setting their own controversial parameters.”
Talking specifically about the changes, Mr Sandhu said that from now on the new applicants will not be able to lodge citizenship application with one year permanent residency and without competent English.
“It is too quick to be believed. The new citizenship rules apply from today onward (20th April 2017). All applications lodged today or after today will be considered as per new rules announced,” adds Mr Sandhu.
“For the English requirement, the applicant would need 6 band each in English or 50 each in PTE.”
“They must have spent 4 years in Australia after permanent residency.”
“In addition to English requirements, the new citizenship test will assess the applicant’s commitment to Australia and whether they have assimilated with the Australian social values.”
“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.”
“At this stage, the applicants above 60 years of age will not be affected by these changes.”
Indian community spokesperson Saksham Katyal thinks that the Government decision will affect migrant communities adversely.
Prabhjot Sandhu is a Sydney-based migration consultant Source: Supplied
While talking about government’s motive behind this decision, Mr Katyal said that it could result in a polarization of the society.
“It seems this decision is agenda-driven. We are seeing the rise of conservative ideology, which at times is against the multicultural social fabric.”
“So is this government saying that people who don’t know English can’t be Australians? It is not fair.”
“Australia is about multiculturalism and languages add value to it. We are not an English nation.”
“We are, and will remain, a multicultural society.”
“Moreover, there were no parliament debates or community consultation on this topic. The decision is more like an ‘overnight strike’.”
“At a personal level, I’ll get affected. I am due to get my citizenship this year. But after this decision I will need to wait for four years.”
“It will greatly affect Australia’s reputation as an immigration nation,” said Mr Katyal.
The Prime Minister told the press: "What we’re doing is strengthening our multicultural society and strengthening the commitment to Australian values. This is about strengthening the Australian values which are at the heart of citizenship, of being an Australian citizen."
Indian community spokesperson Saksham Katyal (Photo Preetinder Grewal) Source: Supplied
Majority of the tweets - under the hashtag #AustralianValues - mock the stereotypes of Australian culture, and others angrily discuss hypocritical elements of the new citizenship laws.
