The Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says he makes no apologies for setting high expectations in the national interest as he prepares for his proposed citizenship changes to be put to the senate.
The Turnbull government used its numbers in the lower house to pass the bill there on Monday night.
"Australian citizenship should be highly valued and the government’s changes will ensure that it is a privilege obtained by only those who’ve demonstrated the most sincere commitment to Australia, our values and respect for our laws, as it should be," Mr Dutton said in the chamber.
"Regrettably, Australia faces a real and increasing threat from people who embrace violence as a means to pursue extremist beliefs and ideology and therefore reject the values fundamental to Australia, and we should have the necessary levers to ensure such individuals do not benefit from the great privilege that is Australian citizenship."
Mr Dutton said the bill would better help migrants integrate into Australian society.
Labor slams changes as divisive, unfair and racist
Labor MPs opposed the changes and labelled the English language requirements divisive, unfair and racist.
"What the government wants to do here is change the law so you can’t become an Australian citizen unless you’ve got university level English skills," Labor MP Jason Clare said.
"The better your English, the better your chance of getting a job, the better your chance of getting ahead, the better your chance of integrating properly into our society. But that doesn’t mean we should be denying people citizenship because they don’t have university English skills. It means we should be doing more to boost these skills.
"Unless you can write an essay, unless you can write a university thesis, you’re a threat to national security," he claimed.
'Relevant and sensible exemptions'
"There are relevant and sensible exemptions for English language," Minister Dutton responded.
"Australia has changed a lot over the years, as has the nature of employment. There’s no denying that English language is crucial for integration, employment participation and settlement outcomes,” he added.
The citizenship changes have been referred to a senate inquiry, which is due to report back before September 4.
