1.  Why has the Australian government introduced a new test for people applying for Australian citizenship?  Be specific.

2.  Under the new rules, what will immigrants in Australia need to do to become citizens? (para. 2 & 11)

3.  a) List the values of Australian society from which the citizenship questions will be drawn.
b)  On what beliefs are the values based?

4.  Why do you think that the section on religion (from the booklet on Australian values) refers to freedom to practice any religion or none?

5.  About the test, Australia's Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said: "Before becoming a citizen it is reasonable to expect that a person will understand the core values that have helped to create a society that is stable yet dynamic, cohesive yet diverse." (para. 5)
Andrews also said that while some may regard the values as universal, "there are some cultures, for example, where men and women are not treated equally. There are some cultures in which freedom of religion is not practiced the same way as it is in Australia. So it's a matter of saying to people who wish to become citizens of Australia that these are the things which we think are important for all Australians." (para. 8-9)
Do you think Mr. Andrews' comments are reasonable?  Explain your answer.

6.  a) What is the population of Australia? 
b) Approximately what percent of the population is Muslim?

7.  a) What arguments does the Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network make against a citizenship test? (para. 14-17)
b) Next to each argument, write agree or disagree and explain your choices.

8.  A number of senior government officials have spoken out not against Muslim immigrants, but against Muslim immigrants espousing radical views.
Last year federal Treasurer Peter Costello, often viewed as a possible successor to Prime Minister Howard, told foreign-born Muslims that if they could not accept Australian values or wanted to live under shari'a (Islamic law), they should leave.
Do you support or oppose the stand these officials have taken? Explain your answer.