Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question at this stage of Senator Bartlett: does the amendment that you are moving take out the current citizenship test that we have? It seems to suggest that. If it does, then what does it replace it with? I understand that there are some concerns about what the government might be intending to do; however, that is currently not before us. The current test requires that a person:

(e) possesses a basic knowledge of the English language at the time of the Minister’s decision on the application; and

(f) has an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship at the time of the Minister’s decision on the application.

And it goes on. If Senator Bartlett is seeking to take out that current test then Labor would have some concerns and, as a consequence, would not support the amendment. How we deal with what the government does in the future is a matter for when we see the legislation, and the shadow minister responsible will obviously have something to say at that point. Already, I think the relevant shadow minister has spoken about this particular area but I do not want to get that confused with this debate. The debate we are having now is about Senator Bartlett’s amendment vis-a-vis the current test in the legislation. I was wondering if Senator Bartlett could clarify that position and let me know whether I am right about that.