True-blue values a tester

ASPIRING Australians will have to study up on our values of mutual respect, equality and democracy before sitting a revamped citizenship test.

From November 15, the 20question multiple choice test will include five questions about Australian values, and prospective citizens must answer all of them correctly to pass.

Acting Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge will unveil examples of the new questions on Tuesday. They will also require migrants to understand and support religious tolerance, the right to vote and Australia’s rule of law.

He said the questions were a “more meaningful” addition to the existing test, which focuses on basic Australian facts and the mechanics of our system of government.

“Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens,” Mr Tudge said. “We’re asking those who apply for citizenship to understand our values more deeply.”

The changes to the citizenship test are the first in more than a decade.

Aspiring citizens must achieve a score of at least 75 per cent.

From October 30, most new visa and citizenship applicants must also affirm an updated values statement.

Mr Tudge flagged the overhaul of the test last month, saying Australia’s values “defend us against challenges to our social cohesion”.

“These values have held us together over the decades and have underpinned the freedom and prosperity that has made our nation so attractive for millions of migrants to seek to come here,” he said. “Defending

and promoting our values is a task for all of us, but the government also has a special responsibility in this area.”

He also announced the government was developing a new campaign to articulate Australia’s national identify and multicultural success.

It comes as more than 2500 people will become citizens across the country on Tuesday.