NormNew Australian citizens in Melbourne confused over Australia’s English speaking policy.
Immigrants who were granted Australian citizenship on Australia Day in Melbourne yesterday by Mayor John So have questioned why they need to learn English when the Lord Mayor can’t speak any. “I couldn’t understand a word he said,” said former Greek immigrant, and Rod Laver Arena cleaner Maria Popadopadoulous. She admitted to nodding and saying Yes to whatever it was Mayor So said during the ceremony. “Was that Mandarin? And what’s with the funny ‘ho-ho-ho’ machine-gun laugh? I would have felt more comfortable if Kevin Rudd was here to translate. What upsets me most is, after all that, I’m still not sure if I’m an Australian citizen or not.”
