A test of values fails to measure up

The new citizenship test is still a flawed concept and open to challenge, write Kerry Ryan and Brian Costar in The Age TWO years of the Howard government\u27s controversial Australian citizenship test ended on Citizenship Day, September 17, when Labor announced a new test for aspiring citizens. The government accepted 24 of the 33 recommendations made by Richard Woolcott\u27s review, which was handed down in August 2008. The major change is that the test will now focus on the \u27\u27rights and responsibilities\u27\u27 of an Australian citizen. Gone from the testable information are cricketers\u27 batting averages and the wine regions of South Australia. The test booklet Becoming an Australian Citizen has been re-drafted and has a new name, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond. Unfortunately, the tone of cloying jingoism remains. The \u27\u27national gemstone\u27\u27 is still testable, as are the concepts of \u27\u27mateship\u27\u27 and \u27\u27a fair go\u27\u27... Read the full article Photo: Peta Curnow/ iStockphoto.com &nbsp