Law Council of Australia opposes tougher English t
The council has recommended changes that exemptions from the requirement to take an English test should be broad and flexible and there be no limit on the number of times a person can take the citizenship test. Australia's peak legal body, The Law Council of Australia has criticised the government's proposed citizenship crackdown. The Council was one of several groups and individuals to appear at a Senate hearing today examining the bill along with the Australian Council of TESOL Associations, which has expressed concern about a proposed English language test. The citizenship changes that have passed the lower house include aspiring citizens having to achieve a "competent" level of English and face a four-year wait as permanent residents before they can seek citizenship. Lawyers have questioned the government's reasoning behind toughening the English language requirements for aspiring Australian citizens. The Law Council of Australia says the purpose of the move is unclear, claiming it is not substantiated by economic or social data. On Thursday, President Fiona McLeod said the introduction of a "competent" English requirement may disadvantage particular groups, such as refugees and humanitarian entrants. She believes the threshold should be lowered, even though legislation before the Senate does not specify what the proposed level will be. "The Law Council would argue that this definition should be provided now and not later via a legislative instrument," she said. The council in their submission has recommended changes that exemptions from the requirement to take an English test should be broad and flexible and there be no limit on the number of times a person can take the citizenship test.
