Released on = October 26, 2006, 5:25 am

Press Release Author = Neoli Marcos

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = The controversial Australian citizenship test is now getting
wide support. Last September 17, a discussion paper on it the issue was launched,
and so far, the response was positive.

Press Release Body = Hawthorn, Australia, 26 October 2006---The controversial
Australian citizenship test is now getting wide support. Last September 17, a
discussion paper on it the issue was launched, and so far, the response was
positive.

Proposed revisions for Australian immigration would include, aside from mastery of
the English language, extending the waiting period for citizenship from two to four
years. Also, under the reinforced Australian immigration policies, skilled
immigrants and refugees have to take a formal test to show they understand
Australian history, national symbols, culture, the democratic system, and values
like respect and equality.

Earlier, Prime Minister John Howard, the main proponent of the Australian
citizenship test, was accused of discrimination, especially by Muslim immigrants who
felt the test was a blatant disregard for their culture and religion. The Prime
Minister however emphasized that the new rigorous Australian immigration policies
and tests are meant to instill in everyone the virtues and ideals of Australia. But
this doesn\'t mean immigrants would have to abandon their homeland\'s culture and
religion.

Examples of countries with citizenship tests are Canada, Britain, the United States
and the Netherlands.

In a recent a poll, 77 per cent of the population favored the impending revisions
for Australian immigration policies.

And even immigrants themselves are in favor of the proposal. For one, Clement
Laila, 33, from Sudan says he\'s ok with the notion of a citizenship test.

\"Australia may bring someone who stays here for 10 years and they still can\'t speak
English,\" Mr. Laila says.

\"It is ridiculous. I support an English test. Not a history test though, maybe
general knowledge ... many people don\'t even know the Prime Minister of this
country.\"

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544