Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled changes to tighten requirements for Australian citizenship, saying the changes will make a stronger Australia.
He says the move is about strengthening Australia's society.
"You will need to be a permanent resident for four years. So that means a longer time in Australia as a permanent resident before you apply to be a citizen. You will need to have competent English. That is a vital requirement, not a requirement at the moment, but we all know that the key to successful integration into the Australian community, to economic success and every success - social success - in becoming part of the community is being able to speak English.” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said.
Applicants will face a stand-alone English test and a commitment requirement to embrace Australian values.
Applicants will also need to have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least four years, rather than the current 12 months, and will only be allowed to fail the citizenship test three times.
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. These fundamental values are what make us Australian. So when you look in the mirror, when an Australian can look like a person from any race, any background in the world, but what we share are those values. And our citizenship process should reflect that."
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says the changes are about putting Australian values at the forefront of the decision to grant citizenship.
He says while the government wants people to honour and respect their heritage and culture from the countries they've come from, once here, they should abide by Australian laws and values.
He gave examples of what he considers to be Australian values.
"For example 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. I've been very clear about that. I believe that if you have children of a school age, every effort should be made to see their regular attendance at school because part of the opportunity of living in Australia and becoming an Australian and adopting Australian ways is that you take advantage of a great education system, not having kids involved in gang violence, for example or breaking laws otherwise."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, has also defended the move.
"We're looking to test attitudes to ensure that people who take out Australian citizenship - and it's a privilege to become an Australian citizen, but it also has responsibilities and obligations with it - that they are prepared to embrace the values, the laws and the attitudes we have as a society that's made us so successful."
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