Australian Citizenship

What are Australian values? 1. Democracy 2. Freedom 3. Equality of Opportunity

As new Australian Citizens you will have responsibilities. What are they? 1. to obey laws 2. to enroll on the Electoral Roll and vote at Federal and State/territory elections and referenda 3. to serve on a jury if called on 4. to defend Australia, if the need arises (subject to the same rights and exemptions as Australian born Citizens

State additional privileges 5. to vote to help elect Australia’s governments 6. to apply for appointment to public office, or nominate for election to Parliament 7. to apply for an Australian passport and to leave and re-enter Australia without a resident return visa 8. to claim protection from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas 9. to apply to enlist in the defence forces and for government jobs requiring Australian Citizenship 10.to register a child (under 18 years of age if born overseas) as an Australian citizen by descent

You can become an Australian citizen if you: 1. are a permanent resident 2. have lived here for at least two years in the previous five years, including at least 12 months in the last two years 3. intend to reside here or maintain a close association with Australia 4. are over the age of 18 5. are of good character 6. are able to speak and understand basic English, and 7. understand the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship

Look up this website http://www.citizenship.gov.au/ the steps in the application process are. Step 1: Confirm that you are eligible Step 2: Get an application kit Step 3: Fill in and lodge the form and pay the fee Step 4: Attend a short interview Step 5: Find out when your citizenship ceremony will be and invite family and friends Step 6: Go to the ceremony, make the pledge and receive your citizenship certificate

• What do you think it means to be Australian? Write an informal letter to your friend stating why Australian Citizenship is important to you, give reasons.

Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/index.htm

The Courts—In close up

As a citizen, you will have formed a general idea about the part that law courts play in our society. You may be familiar with certain courtroom procedures, and to some extent the principles that lie behind them. The courts are there to settle disputes and deal with people who break the law of the land.

Courts use the ‘adversarial’ system. It means that the two sides (‘adversaries’) present opposing arguments, doing their best to convince the court of their version of the events that led to the trial. This process is usually conducted by lawyers representing the parties. Each side calls witnesses, who give their evidence as answers to questions that are put to them.

In criminal trials, the person accused of the offence is ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and that, in serious cases, whether they are guilty or not is decided by a jury.

Go to the following websites for further information

Court Room Scene: District Court or Supreme Court Court Room Scene: Magistrate Court The Map of Courts in Brisbane City