MEDIA RELEASE: Senate hearing on Dutton's harmful citizenship changes show it will make migrant's lives more complex, insecure and difficult

Senate hearing on Dutton's harmful citizenship changes show it will make migrant's lives more complex, insecure and difficult

In yesterday's Citizenship Bill inquiry hearings, we heard:

  • Powerful and moving stories about sense of belonging and community that citizenship gives to new migrants. 
  • Migrants graduating from the Government's English language course won't be able to pass the new university level English requirements.
  • The average wait for permanent residency is greater than 6 years. Peter Dutton's changes would mean pathway to citizenship will be a wait of over 10 years.
  • Evidence was given that over 2 million Australians wouldn't pass proposed English test. So why should new migrants be expected to have university level English?
  • PhD qualified migrants, now setting up local companies and contributing to Australian society, are deterred by Dutton's citizenship changes. 

It's clear from this hearing that the Government's snobbish changes are all about making vulnerable people's lives more complex, insecure and difficult. How can this be good for the individual and how can this be beneficial for Australia as a nation? 

The hearings continue today. 

THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

SENATOR LOUISE PRATT
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MURRAY WATT
LABOR SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND
 

Tony Burke