Australia`s successful multicultural society is at risk as many immigrants fail to integrate into society and develop skilled English skills, (Alan Tudge) warned.
The federal government has reinstated plans to push for tougher language tests to test new immigrants and to commit themselves to Australian values.
Last year, Australia`s government abandoned significant changes to its naturalization laws, as Labour and neutral lawmakers criticized the changes as too harsh. But government has not given up.
"the integration of immigrants has always been the secret to our multicultural success, but there are emerging early warning signs that we have not done well in the past." Duggie said.
Nearly 25 percent of immigrants who arrived between January and August last year did not speak English or had very limited language skills, according to government.
Duggie said the 2006 and 2011 censuses reported 18 percent and 19 percent, respectively, proving that the federal government must intervene to preserve successful multiculturalism.
He warned that many immigrants live in their own "cultural bubbles" and become isolated, limiting their interaction with the wider community.
The former social services minister also warned that the "settlement" of immigrants was linked to poor English.
"if we want to ensure the social cohesion of this country, if we want to guarantee the future of a successful multicultural country, then the Australian population needs to have a reasonable level of English." Duggie said.
New immigrants have the responsibility to learn English
Duggie acknowledged that some language training programmes for immigrants had been curtailed, but said the authorities were still generous and that new immigrants had a responsibility to develop English skills.
"it is also a part of the responsibility of new immigrants to study English on their own, and we hope to encourage new immigrants to develop such aspirations," he said. Duggie said.
When government`s naturalization law reforms were scrapped last year, former immigration minister Dutton (Peter Dutton) said he could reintroduce them.
But the Senate committee on the legislation reported that the new language test was too tough and would rule out many immigrants who could contribute to Australian society.
Duggie said that the English test does not require new immigrants to have "college level" of English, but needs to show a "moderate understanding" of the English language.
Burke (Tony Burke), opposition party civil affairs spokesman, reiterated his opposition to the changes, calling them "snobbery" and "divided society."
"the requirement for a conversational level of English is perfectly reasonable and has been implemented." "the first round of naturalization law reform proposed by Tembo government has caused unnecessary problems for many communities across Australia," Bock said. Just because some Australians and immigrants don`t have the perfect standard of English doesn`t mean they don`t work hard or help build the country. "
