I am a subscriber to www.news.com.au to know more about this beloved country. I receive daily news highlights. One of the articles appealed me today is about the Aussie values test under discussion. This test will be made for PR holders on their way to apply for the Australian nationality. This test consists of three parts:
1. A requirement for new citizens, permanent residents and holders of visas valid for more than 12 months to sign a pledge to Aussie values.
2. People applying to be citizens also face a tougher English language test and 30-question quiz on Australian values and customs.
3. A four-year waiting period between receiving permanent residency and applying for citizenship - passed through Parliament this month.
This has induced thousands of permanent residents to rush to be Aussie citizens in the past two months to beat the tough new English language test and Aussis values quiz.
John Howard said, "I think there is a view in the community, a very strong view, that we need a greater emphasis on the things that unite us rather than the things that make us different."
I totally agree with him about this issue (though the opposition leader Mr. Rudd thinks it was not the proper time for doing this and that the John Howard Administration didn’t have compassion).
One is required to pledge with one hand on his heart to be loyal to the United States of America when he is granted with the US citizenship. Loyalty is the most important thing in a citizen. No country would like to see its citizens betray for another country, including their birth-countries.
In my opinion of this particular case, to speak English is the initial requirement to live in Australia, an English speaking country (if we don’t count aboriginal languages now). Speaking English is by all means good for those non English native speakers to learn more about the English speaking culture and it’s easy for them to live a harmonious life in this foreign country. It’s like a multi-cultural couple. If I didn’t speak English, I would never understand my fiancé that well. Values are another crucial issue for one to grasp what your Aussie neighbours say. The four-year waiting time can verify those PR holders and their fondness and loyalty to Australia. I am sure that a lot of people don’t appreciate Australia or like Australia while living there and enjoying its welfare.
I embrace these measures though they are less important than the drought problem in Australia at the moment. I think Beijing government should do this to people who are here and those who wanna be here. These measures will prevent people from harming Beijing and Beijingers who are exposed to invasion and danger.
I haven’t planned to become an Australian citizen yet but I am 100% sure that I will pass the above test and be a qualified AUSSIE! | 