Australia has unveiled details of a new citizenship test for immigrants with the aim being to get "that balance between diversity and integration correct in future", said Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews. The test is expected to be introduced later this year and each prospective citizen will have to give a correct answer to 12 out of 20 questions - drawn from a total of about 200. Migrants would also need to demonstrate an adequate level of understanding of English. "Whether it's to be able to work or whether it's to be able to mix effectively and be part of the broader Australian community, then an understanding of the English language is important," Andrews said. Kate Gauthier, national co-ordinator of refugee support group A Just Australia, criticised the government for introducing a citizenship exam. "If they want to have Australia be more integrated they should spend more money on programs that achieve that instead of punishing people who are having trouble achieving that [integration] because they have language barriers and are recovering from things like torture."

Herald Sun
Do you feel that Australia should forgo the Engish language requirement for its citizenship requirements in order to encourage greater diversity in the nation?