By Mario Xuereb
MEMBERS of the Western Suburbs Maltese Association in St Albans could well be John Howard’s model migrants.
The Maltese retirees get together every week to play cards and enjoy some games of bingo.
The Maltese spoken is heavily interspersed with English, the result of more than 40 years of life in Australia.
And for Vince Aquilina – at least – the question of setting an English test for prospective citizens is a no-brainer.
Mr Aquilina, who was trained at the British naval yards in Malta, believed migrants needed to get to grips with the language and learn as much as possible about the country in which they lived.
“I think people coming to Australia should do their utmost to learn English and learn about Australia.”
Mr Aquilina supported the government’s move to make English a citizenship requirement, and that it should also be a requirement for migration.
He said a basic knowledge of Australian history was important.
“Learning to speak English is for their own good.
“How can they expect to hold a job, to have a conversation with people and to interact in general.”
Brimbank mayor Natalie Suleyman, who has conferred citizenship on more than 4000 migrants, said she supported the regime in place.
She strongly rejected the contention that migrants regarded citizenship as a formality before getting an Australian passport.
“I’ve been through a lot of these ceremonies as part of my role as mayor.
“And the passion that comes through on the night when they stand up and sing the national anthem is just full of emotion,” Cr Suleyman said. “I know that those candidates are caring, very proud Australians, you can just see it in their faces and in their families.”
