How an 'Australian values' debate puzzled even Australia Published duration 20 April 2017

image copyright Reuters image caption Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) initially struggled to define Australian values

Australia unveiled significant changes to its citizenship process on Thursday, flagging - among several changes - new tests on English language and "Australian values".

The new requirements would put "Australian values at the heart of citizenship processes", the government said.

But as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull explained the system, social media observers were keen to interrogate an obvious question.

What exactly are 'Australian values'?

That question appeared to trouble even Mr Turnbull, when a reporter asked him to provide a summary.

"What we will… the answer is yes, but the discussion paper that [the immigration] department has released is going to engage public discussion on this," he said.

After some further comments, he said: "Australians have an enormous reservoir of good sense, and we know that our values of mutual respect, democracy, freedom, rule of law, those values, a fair go - these they are fundamental Australian values."

So the public came up with humorous suggestions

Sharing comments on a hashtag #AustralianValues, many people were quick to offer amusing alternatives.

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Others took aim at politicians including one who resigned over an expenses scandal involving a chartered helicopter.

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But the discussion also turned serious

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There was also criticism of Australia's soaring house prices , a topic of much national discussion in recent weeks.

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Others suggested that "Australian values" as a solitary concept would not necessarily result in wise policy.

Criticism included comparisons to last century's White Australia policy , when Australia took migrants from only certain countries, and the Stolen Generations , when Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from their families.

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Was the criticism all fair?

That may be difficult to immediately assess, given the specifics of the new test are not fully known.

However, although the opposition accused Mr Turnbull of playing domestic politics, it did agree some of his ideas were worthwhile.

"I think it is reasonable to look for English language proficiency and I think it is reasonable to have some period of time before you become an Australian citizen," said opposition leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Turnbull's linking of Australian values to gender equality, and preventing domestic violence, also drew praise.