Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The government is committed to promoting an understanding of what it means to become an Australian citizen. We are committed to ensuring that all migrants to this country learn more about how the nation works, what their rights are and what their responsibilities are. We are keen to make sure that there are pathways, not false barriers, to people taking up the opportunity to become an Australian citizen.

Today I released the new citizenship test resource book. This is a result of the citizenship test review committee’s findings that the old book was inaccessible to many migrants, that the language used was often complex and overly sophisticated and that it hindered the ability of some people in gaining a good understanding of what becoming an Australian meant. The new book has been designed in plain English by educational civic experts and I think that it will ensure that people have a better understanding of their responsibilities and rights when they become Australian citizens. It is based on the pledge of commitment. It gives a structure to what we believe people need to understand. (Time expired)