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While a growing share of migrants to Australia comes from Asian countries such as China or India, only a very small amount of people originate from Indonesia, Australia's nearest location wise, and vitally important Asian neighbour. ("Asian Century Institute - Asian migration to Australia", 2015)
Migration to Australia in the modern era started in 1788, and was led by settlers from the United Kingdom. While the UK and New Zealand have continued to be important source countries, Australia's migration history has been characterised by a series of migration waves from countries like Germany, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia.
The newly revised citizenship test for immigrants is set to quiz them more on "Australian values" as well as introducing an English language test and requiring proof of integration into the subject's community. There is a strong emphasis on allegiance to Australia in the report on the new test, as well as an assertion that applicants should hold certain views on freedom, equality, democracy and integration. The integration component further stresses expectations on immigrants. A shadow of the former immigration test outlined in the Immigration Restriction Act, this revised process acts as another barrier toward complete immigration and acceptance of foreigners into Australian society.
Alvin Lim, one of the producers of this site, was part of the lucky generation that is able to achieve a citizenship without taking the test as at the time of migration, he was only 10 years old and this allowed his parents to take the test in his place. Many of the students at Alvin's age right now have to take the new citizenship test when they reach the age of 18. Had this provision been enacted at the time Vinh's family moved to Australia, they would have been denied citizenship. Due to work responsibilites, Vinh's grandparents had little time to settle into their community or learn English.
While these kinds of barriers in acclimatising to Australian society have in the past acted against integration of communities, this trend seems to be repeating attitudes from the past. It is a reiteration of Australia's fear of the foreign world, which has been felt throughout Australian immigration history. With an unwillingness to allow foreigners to call themselves Australian, this is moving away from creating a stronger more integrated multiculutral community.
There are many things that Asian Immigration has brought to Australia. In particular looking at Melbourne because of the gold rush, there was a huge amount of Chinese immigrants coming during the 1800s. "In the 1860s many Chinese district associations began to purchase land in little Bourke Street to build clubrooms which would serve as meeting places for the Chinese community". (China Town Melbourne , 2017)This marked the beginning of the famous Chinatown we have today. The street today not only provides precious heritage values but also serves as a place for Australians and tourists alike to have a taste of the Chinese culture for almost 200 years.
References
References
China Town Melbourne (2017). Chinatownmelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2017, from http://chinatownmelbourne.com.au/about-chinatown/
What are Australian values? Your say on the revamped citizenship test. (2017). ABC News. Retrieved 10 August 2017, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/australians-share-values-after-citizenship-test-ovehaul-proposed/8458154
West, J. (2015). Asian migration to Australia. Asiancenturyinstitute. Retrieved 10 August 2017, from http://www.asiancenturyinstitute.com/migration/214-asian-migration-to-australia
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