MEDIA RELEASE: Second day of the citizenship bill inquiry and Dutton's changes are still a bad move

In yesterday’s Citizenship Bill inquiry hearings, we heard:
 
•    The only witnesses in favour of the Government’s position are the Australian Monarchists League.
•    Evidence from the Australian council of TESOL association (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) highlight that the IELTS 6 is a university entry level test that requires not only language skills but also test talking skills and computer literacy. 
•    Evidence from the Australian council of TESOL association also provided evidence that over a quarter of the Australian population would not meet university standard English.
•    from the The Law Council of Australia that stated concern the proposed changes could give the Peter Dutton too much authority by giving the Immigration Minister immunity from being overruled or reviewed by an independent council. 
•    The IELTS test is controlled by overseas, for the interest of making a profit, including a focus on International English rather than allowing for common differences with Australian English. 
 
Yesterday's Senate inquiry showed that the Government’s divisive citizenship changes are driving away potential citizens and Labor will not back down.
 

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