Georgiou repeats call to scrap citizenship test

Liberal backbencher Petro Georgiou says Australia's controversial new citizenship test should not just be reviewed - it should be scrapped altogether.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans says he has no plans to abolish the Howard Government-era test, but he is open to making improvements.

Mr Georgiou broke party lines to oppose the test when it was introduced by the former government and says his views have not changed.

"I would hope that the review recommends that we go back to the early form of the test which was about basic English and not have funny little questions about which cricketers were the best cricketers in Australia's history," he said.

Mr Georgiou says the test is deterring substantial numbers of people from applying for citizenship.

His comments came after the release of new Government figures showing there has been a drop in the number of people applying for citizenship.

There are also reports that some people fear they will fail the test and be deported.

Mr Evans says there may have been a surge in applications before the new test was introduced six months ago.

He said that application numbers will be looked at.

"It may be in part explained by a surge and a dip, but we have had reports from some communities that people are concerned about failing the test, and some have expressed concern that they might feel they would be deported if they failed the test," he said.

"There's a real fear in a couple of communities."

Question: Who was Australia's war criminal Prime Minister? Now that would be a better question, sport!

Related:

Charge Howard with war crimes'
FORMER Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has called for ex-prime minister John Howard and other Western leaders to be charged with war crimes over the conflict in Iraq.

Things can only get better, Howard tells party faithful
What about asking about John Howard's top three failures? War crimes against humanity. Waging illegal and degrading war against innocent citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan. Introducing draconian laws and racism.