Australia Wants Migrants to Speak English, ‘Fully Integrate’ and Pledge Allegiance
by Simon Kent
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has declared social cohesion must be at the forefront of any future decisions on migrant intakes. This includes cautioning migrants they must fully embrace Australian values, including learning English, while pledging allegiance to the country that will be their new home.
In a lengthy submission to a parliamentary inquiry on nationhood underway in the national capital Canberra, the department detailed new challenges to social cohesion including foreign interference, fake news and the use of digital platforms to recruit potential terrorists.
“Australia is not exempt from these global trends,” it said, as SBS reports.
“Recent global events, such as the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attacks, have heightened the need for Australia and international partners to be proactive in anticipating and responding to emerging challenges.”
The submission suggests social cohesion has remained relatively strong – in part due to Australia’s carefully managed migration system – while outlining Australian citizenship was the common bond that unites all Australians.
New migrants were encouraged to be “fully integrated members” of society, while practising cultural traditions within the law.
“The Australian community expects that aspiring citizens demonstrate their allegiance to Australia,” the submission says.
The submission ranked English language acquisition, participation in the social and economic life of the nation, and understanding democratic institutions as key indicators of integration.
“English language proficiency is a key contributor to better employment and educational outcomes, social participation levels, and helps provide an overall sense of belonging to the Australian community.”
Australia has one of the largest and most generous migration programs in the world but it has not been without its detractors.