Citizenship !

Once again the politicians are debating just what aspirants seeking Australian Citizenship need to know to qualify for the protection that award bestows.  Academics are delving into our past history to try and put together a synopsis of our past which potential "New Australians " would be required to parrot in an exercise of rote learning.

For the vast majority seeking the protection that certificate provides it is a one way deal.   The moment the Commonwealth of Australia hands over the certificate that person gains rights and privileges that can not be rescinded.  Australia gains - absolutely nothing !

That person whom has just sworn an oath on whatever Deity they worship that they will obey Australian law is perfectly free to renounce that pledge and demand religious rights that are not the law in this country.  Provided they do not actually break our laws they are free to act as they please and even if they indulge in a life of crime their new country has lost the right to deport them to their country of birth.

That is one of the peculiarities of International law.  The countries of the world decided that individuals needed protection from unjust governments who might otherwise use deportation to rid themselves  of vexing citizens. Totalitarian countries with ruthless regimes might inflict mass murder on their citizens, but at least they were not free to boot them out over the border.  They had to flee of their own volition - and then they were called "Asylum Seekers " !

The people who came to Australia after 1788 are all migrants from elsewhere, although some may not have travelled here by their own choice.  We accept that all who are born in this country have immediate Australian nationality and we have created a new national identity on the world stage with this mix of cultures from different lands.   That culture is now under threat from within by migrants who demand all the benefits of citizenship but reject the obligations to abide by Australian culture and to live their lives within Australian law.

It would be reasonable for Australia to withdraw from this International understanding on Citizenship rights and declare that future citizenship for those migrating to this country will be on a provisional basis.   Revocation of provisional citizenship would require the authority of a superior court and would be judged entirely on failure to adhere to the expectations of national unity.  Criminal activity would not be a valid reason for citizenship withdrawal.

We have the right to demand that the citizenship oath be binding.   The award of citizenship is a contract between this country and its new citizens that is not to be taken lightly and it would be reasonable to impose sanctions on both parties.  Applicants are very careful to observe our laws and follow our customs during the application process.   Ensuring that objectivity continues is not an unreasonable demand.

It is hard to see how a rehash of what an intending migrant is supposed to learn about the earlier history of this country will resolve the present tendency to renege on the oath of allegiance.