Friday, September 15 2006 17:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Melbourne: Immigrants to Australia will now be required to pass an English language test and wait for four years instead of three to qualify for citizenship, according to a new government proposal for tougher immigration laws.

Unveiling the plan today, Prime Minister John Howard said immigrants will also have to demonstrate their knowledge of Australian history.

The Conservative premier, who had earlier urged moderate Muslims to speak out more often against terrorism and favoured reinforcing 'Australian values' on immigrants, said he was confident that the plan would be welcomed by most countrymen.

"It won't be difficult if you are fair dinkum (genuine) and most people who come to this country are fair dinkum about being part of the community. I think most people will welcome it," he said.

"You will certainly need to know a good deal more about Australia and about Australian customa and the Australian way of life," he said.

The new citizenship laws are expected to be announced in detail next week.

The announcement comes amidst a raging debate on the role of immigrants, who account for a quarter of the country's 20 million population.

Opposition Labour Party leader Kim Beazley had earlier this week proposed that a declaration supporting Australian values such as freedom, democracy, respect for women -- and mateship be made part of the process of gaining a visa.

"I certainly think it would be a very good thing for them to work out a mechanism to have an understanding of Australian values when they come in," he told Macquarie Radio today.