The Coalition has put forth a proposal to include an antisemitism question in the citizenship test, a move that signifies a shift in national policy towards citizenship standards.
This initiative follows their earlier suggestion to hold a referendum aimed at deporting dual citizens who commit serious offenses, highlighting the Coalition’s commitment to national safety and security.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton has confirmed his intention to consider a referendum if he is elected in the upcoming federal election scheduled for May. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described this idea as a mere “thought bubble,” while Treasurer Jim Chalmers deemed it “bizarre.”
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At a press conference, Dutton stated, “My priority is to ensure the safety of all Australians and to protect our nation. If the current laws are inadequate, I will advocate for changes that will enhance public safety and reduce crime in our country amidst an uncertain century.
“It’s time to assert our national values and to communicate clearly that we are in the best country in the world. We can only maintain this status if a Coalition government is elected after the upcoming election.”
This proposal marks the second referendum Dutton has suggested. In 2022, he retracted a pledge to hold a referendum for constitutional Indigenous recognition following the unsuccessful Voice to Parliament referendum initiated by Albanese.
This morning, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor echoed Dutton’s sentiments, revealing that the Coalition is also aiming to amend the citizenship test to include a specific question on antisemitism. “We have already committed to strengthening the citizenship test to ensure it explicitly addresses antisemitism, due to the alarming rise of such sentiments in our nation,” he stated during an interview with ABC.
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“It’s completely unacceptable. We need to ensure that individuals coming to this country do not perpetuate the intolerable behavior we have witnessed recently,” Taylor added.
Albanese was asked about Taylor’s remarks during a press conference in Brisbane, where he dismissed the notion as a “soap bubble.” He expressed skepticism about the longevity of such proposals, remarking, “Let’s see if this lasts; yesterday’s didn’t even make it to lunchtime.”
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Albanese further criticized the Coalition’s approach, stating, “They have campaigned against the citizenship pledge, claiming that too many Australians have waited years to become citizens.”
A 2022 High Court ruling has clarified that ministers cannot strip dual citizens of their Australian citizenship, a decision that places the authority in the hands of judges alone.
Dutton has previously emphasized the need for stricter citizenship regulations, a stance that resonates with a segment of the Australian populace concerned about national security.
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