Australian Citizenship discussion forum at USQ

Church leaders, academics, community organisations, ethnic groups, representatives from all levels of government and the general public have been invited by USQ to engage in discussions regarding Australian citizenship rules.

USQ Multicultural Centre Director, Dr Krzysztof Batorowicz, said the University is hosting the discussion in light of a newly published paper released by the Federal Government.

'The discussion paper, Australian Citizenship: Much more than a ceremony, explores Australian citizenship in general and in particular, consideration of the merits of introducing a formal citizenship test,' Dr Batorowicz said.

'This is a national issue and the University would like to encourage community members to get involved in the public debate.

'By holding this debate USQ is hoping to make community members aware of the paper so they have a chance to be involved in the debate and make submissions.'

The debate is being run at USQ Toowoomba and being video-linked to USQ Springfield and USQ Wide Bay so community members, staff and students across all campuses can be involved.

It will be held on Thursday 9 November from 1pm to 3pm in the Media Studio, Y103 at USQ Toowoomba. The debate will also be braodcast live in the Level Three Lecture Theatre, A3LR3, at USQ Springfield and in the A Block Lecture Theatre at USQ Wide Bay.

'In my experience with these types of things major consultation meetings take place in capital cities and there was one in the Brisbane CBD earlier this year.  But it is just as important to have debate in smaller and regional centres,' Dr Batorowicz said.

He said USQ consulted to the state government to run the initiative.

'The initiative was welcomed by the State Office of Immigration and USQ also received recommendations from the government on encouraging people to be present.

'Community members can observe the debate, make their own minds up and send or email their comments about the paper,' Dr Batorowicz said.

People who can't make it to the debate, who have broadband can also listen to it live from that time over the internet at mms://WinMedia.usq.edu.au/y202

'The issue is a very significant one and all citizens can respond.  We'd like to see community members get involved in the national debate.

The deadline for submissions is 17 November 2006.

Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559 or +61 423 808 462