Another day: another distraction. While one headline points out another 48 millionaires paid NO tax in the past financial year, the PM is up bright and early spouting a new Citizenship Test. How can we take this man seriously?
The 48 millionaires declared incomes averaging $2.64 million, with the largest deduction being 'cost of managing tax affairs', averaging $1.06 million. These leeches (leaners?) didn't even pay the Medicare Levy. Donald Trump would say they are 'smart'; I suggest they are crooks. However, it seems that avoiding your obligations is an accepted Australian value.
Back to the Citizenship Test. How can extending the waiting time make us a safer or a more coherent society? Surely if an immigrant is keen to make a commitment to his/her new country, we should encourage that as much as we can. I've been to many Citizenship ceremonies and I am always touched by the genuine pride and delight shown by those taking the big step.
The Department of Immigrations's Statement on Australian Values says:
Australian society values respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, Parliamentary democracy, equality of men and women and a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance, fair play and compassion for those in need and pursuit of the public good
Australian society values equality of opportunity for individuals, regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background; the English language, as the national language, is an important unifying element of Australian society.
Do they intend to change this as well? Maybe the Minister for Immigration is embarrassed by the words 'compassion for those in need? If not, he certainly should be.
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