Multicultural Australia celebrates scrapping of proposed citizenship legislation

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has applauded the scrapping last night of the Federal Government’s proposed new citizenship legislation.

The Senate removed the proposed Bill from the Senate notice paper after the Government, which faced certain defeat of its proposed legislation, failed to bring it to a vote. 

“We congratulate every Senator who stood up against this cruel, unnecessary and discriminatory proposal,” the Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said today.

“The plan to extend the waiting period and demand university-standard English language skills from migrants in order for them to become Australian citizens was unjust and unfair,” Ms Patetsos said.

“The fact is that generations of migrants, despite having limited command of English when they became citizens, have made huge contributions to Australian society.”

Ms Patetsos said that now the Parliament had spoken, the Government should put such harsh legislative proposals to rest.

"For decades, Australian citizenship had fostered inclusivity, allowing migrants to feel Australian, regardless of their country of origin.”

“This legislation would have damaged Australia’s cohesive multicultural society by creating an underclass of Australian residents denied citizenship.”

“We now have a great opportunity for FECCA to work with the Government to find positive ways – rather than punitive ways – to make migrants feel welcomed and part of Australian society,” Ms Patetsos said.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.

ECCV applauds the rejection of the proposed citizenship bill

19th October 2017

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) applauds the rejection of the proposed citizenship bill in the senate yesterday evening.

The ECCV Chairperson Eddie Micallef “believes that the Australian citizenship eligibility with an over-focus on high levels of English language competence would exclude vulnerable people such as refugees who have experienced disrupted education”.

Micallef says, “the current process for testing English is tight enough”. He continues, “I’ve attended plenty of citizenship ceremonies throughout the years and the look of glee and appreciation radiates from people”.

ECCV believes that it is unreasonable to expect hardworking, nation building migrants to pass a university level of English. 

Micallef supports “that Australian citizenship provides a common bond that gives us a sense of belonging and pride in our achievements as a nation and unites all Australians, regardless of whether we were born in Australia or have decided to make Australia our home”.

ECCV welcomes opportunities for shorter citizenship eligibility periods as recognition for the contributions of inspiring citizens in our community rather than the 4 years that were proposed.