let's hope they withdraw it :thumbsup:

I am happy that I'd pass it, I think :dunno: but OH, not only wouldn't stand a chance, but I'd be struggling to make him take a day off to go to Perth to take the test as no work means no money.

TBH I can't see how knowing all about famous aussies and sport qualifies you as an Australian citizen or not. Values, history and politics maybe but not the other stuff :no:

bugger - just typed out a huge reply to this and my fekkn laptop took control of the keyboard again and deleted it all :angry: :angry: :angry:

anyhoos, you can get a free book from diac website all aobut living in aus and the values statements and becoming a cit etc ... interesting reading :yes:

Gord Brown is introducing citizenship tests here in the uk, and i think they are a jolly good idea - you have to attain a basic command of english as well as learning about uk history etc; most brits are applauding it ... and i do too;
i wont have a problem doing the test but can understand some not wanting to do it (mal wont do the ielts test :rolleyes: but says he will do this )

i think they should keep it ... but do it in a more user friendly way :yes: ... perhaps as a one day course done in small groups with discussions about the aus way of life/history etc rather than MCQs ... :dunno:

I like that idea - a one day course with a test at the end. I sent for the book, a quick read for me will be ok just before but OH just can't digest info and gets all in a tizz with tests, bless him. He'd do a course though. :yes:

I can't believe that this lot are going to review the test. It's not difficult and I would say that an 80% first time pass rate is right for any test. If anyone can't take the time to read the booklet they don't deserve citizenship.
The next thing we will have is hoards of boat people being welcomed with open arms. I'm not racist but really am against illegals. There are plenty of people who have lived,for years, in refugee camps who are more entitled to come to this country than those who pay unscrupulous people to deposit them illegally.

:goodpost: :more:

well said - thats pretty much what i was trying to say, :lol: :lol:

...and that's ok for people like me. However, OH is British, speaks fluent english, embraces wholly the culture and values of Oz and wants to stay here forever. BUT he can't take tests, whether multiple choice or not. Since discovering youngest's problems we do think he may have the same issues. Reading a booklet and answering verbal questions possibly but not reading a booklet and sitting a test. He'll probably fail.

Added to which, anyone can read a book, how does that make them any more deserving of citizenship ?

As for illegals, you will always get those.....test or no test, it doesn't stop people entering the country.

I dont know either, but having taken it I honestly cant see how anyone could possibly fail. I am rubbish at learning and remembering stuff too, and was even worse given my brain was all over the place at the time having not long had Katie. But the answers are SO obvious for most of the questions and all you need is to get 60% of them correct.

E.g. one of our questions was "what is the current aborignal population? 2%, 70% or 90%"

If people cant answer stuff like that correctly then it's a bit sad (unless of course they have a learning disability in which case they should have another way of taking the test such as an interview).

I wasnt too happy about having to take the test, mainly for the reason Heather makes, BUT now I've done it I feel justified that if any Aussie ever questioned the fact I was a citizen I could point out that I'd taken and passed the test.

If they are going to change it to make it easier to pass then what's the point of having it at all? I thought the whole idea was people made an effort to read the book and learn about Australia and it's culture, not make it so peess easy anyone could pass without making any effort whatsoever.

JMHO :blushing:

:lol:

If the questions are like that then I'm a happy bunny !!

I do also like the idea of having to pass something to show you have a good grasp of english and accept and appreciate the values of Oz, otherwise why should you be able to be a citizen of this country. It's just the test taking thing I have a bit of an issue with because it also involves the ability to process written information which a few people just can't do.

Still, if that's the current ruling and we want citizenship we have to go with it, but I would be happy if they reviewed it and came up with a 'better' way.

Not long until you get yours though Bridie !!

Nope, only two weeks until we have the full lobotomy :lol:

:thumbsup:

what are you going to do with your plant ????