Since 15 October this year, applicants for Australian visas have been required to sign a Statement of Australian Values as part of the application process. The new condition was introduced very quietly and hasn’t yet received the attention it deserves.

The Statement requires applicants to affirm they will respect the “Australian way of life” and obey Australian law. Provisional, permanent and some temporary visa applicants are required to sign the following:

I confirm that I have read, or had explained to me, information provided by the Australian Government on Australian society and values.

I understand:

  • 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.

I undertake to respect these values of Australian society during my stay in Australia and to obey the laws of Australia.

I understand that, if I should seek to become an Australian citizen:

  • Australian citizenship is a shared identity, a common bond which unites all Australians while respecting their diversity
  • Australian citizenship involves reciprocal rights and responsibilities. The responsibilities of Australian Citizenship include obeying Australian laws, including those relating to voting at elections and serving on a jury.

If I meet the legal qualifications for becoming an Australian citizen and my application is approved I understand that I would have to pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people.

In addition, provisional, permanent and some temporary visa applicants are required to read, or have explained to them, aspects of Australian history, culture, society and national values set out in the DIAC publication, Life in Australia.

You’ll find the values statement requirement buried in the Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth).

To effect policy change that may be controversial, making regulations has a particular advantage over making or amending laws. Regulations are made by the Minister and therefore avoid pesky attention-drawing public debate by our democratically elected representatives in Parliament.

Neither DIAC, then Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Kevin Andrews or then Assistant Minister Teresa Gambaro issued a media release acknowledging the introduction of the values statement. The PM’s office kept mum too, despite last December’s joint announcement of the development of the values statement with former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Andrew Robb.   

To be fair, the Government did conduct a national public consultation around citizenship last year, in which the question of immigrants and long-term residents committing to some expression of Australian values was canvassed. Support for this proposal was underwhelming to say the least – of the 1,644 submissions DIAC received, only 458 indicated that this was important, and 1,153 didn’t address the issue at all.

So far, there’s been no substantial explanation of the effect of the statement. Visa forms updated to include it indicate that failing to sign up to Australian values will result in delays in the assessment process or an ultimate refusal to grant the application.

But is it enforceable? Can a visa applicant or holder be arrested or deported for failing to adhere to Australian values by being, for example, a sore loser with no sense of fair play? Does not being able to speak English constitute a punishable contempt for our national language and unity?

The question of whether the statement of values creates an additional behavioural regime against which potential immigrants will be assessed should be answered. Crikey received no response to its numerous calls to DIAC for further information.

Just for laughs, here are our picks from Life in Australia. What do you think? Helpful to new arrivals? Expressive of shared values? Jingoistic guff?

  • Things you should know: Australians value equality of opportunity and what is often called a ‘fair go’. This means that what someone achieves in life should be a product of their talents, work and effort rather than their birth or favouritism. Australians have a spirit of egalitarianism that embraces mutual respect, tolerance and fair play. This does not mean that everyone is
    the same or that everybody has equal wealth or property. The aim is to ensure there are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.
  • Australia has a strong tradition of ‘mateship’, where people provide help to others voluntarily, especially those in difficulty. A mate is
    often a friend but can also be a spouse, partner, brother, sister, daughter or son. A mate can also be a total stranger.
  • Australia’s cultural diversity is a strength which makes for a dynamic society. Within the framework of Australia’s laws, all Australians
    have the right to express their culture and beliefs. But at the same time, all Australians are asked to make an overriding commitment to
    Australia – its laws, its values and its people.
  • An important feature of Australian society today is not only the cultural diversity of its people, but the extent to which they are
    united by an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia.
  • The opal was proclaimed Australia’s national gemstone in 1993.
  • Since World War II, Australia has been governed by a coalition of the Liberal and Country (now National) parties for periods totaling more
    than 40 years and by the Australian Labor Party for periods totaling 20 years.
  • All people in Australia must obey the nation’s laws or face the possibility of criminal and civil prosecution. People are also expected to generally observe Australian social customs, habits and practices even though they are not normally legally binding.
  • Police and the community have good relations in Australia. You can report crimes and seek assistance from the police. If you are
    questioned by police, remain calm, be polite and cooperative.
  • Australians also queue or line up when waiting to be served in a shop, a bank, a government department, a cinema or anywhere where a number of people are all seeking a service at the same time. Australians generally wait until it is their turn to be served or attended to. It
    shows respect for others and is the fairest way for everyone to get what they need.
  • Most Australians blow their noses into a handkerchief or tissue, not onto the footpath. This is also true for spitting. Many people will also say ‘bless you’ when you sneeze. This phrase has no religious intent.
  • Many Australians live close to the beach and the sea. On hot days, they may wear swimming costumes or little clothing on the beach and surrounds. This does not mean that people who dress to go to the beach or swimming have low moral standards. It means that this is what Australians accept on and near beaches. In some Australian states, there are also a small number of designated ‘nudist’ beaches where people may swim without any costume or clothing. People from other countries can choose to wear culturally appropriate dress.
  • If you get an invitation to lunch, dinner, barbecue, party, wedding, birthday, or any type of event, you will usually respond either on the
    spot or with a letter, phone call or an email. The midday meal is called ‘lunch’, and the evening meal is usually called ‘dinner’. Some
    Australians also refer to the evening meal as ‘tea’ and can use the term to mean either dinner or, literally, a cup of tea or ‘cuppa’. If
    invited for tea, the time of the event is a good sign of whether your host means dinner or just a cup of tea. An invitation to tea, any time
    after 6 pm (1800 hours) usually means dinner.
  • Australians love their sport, both as spectators and participants… The truth, of course, is that Australians, like people everywhere, cannot be easily stereotyped.