Australian immigrants will have to show they are "fair dinkum" — or genuine — by taking a tough citizenship test and waiting longer before applying for a passport, the government said yesterday.

The proposal has divided Australians with some welcoming it as a way of blocking potential Islamic extremists and others dismissing it as an act of embarrassing jingoism.

The prime minister, John Howard, wants a test to assess applicants' knowledge of Australian history, values and customs. "Most people who come to this country are fair dinkum about becoming part of the community," he said.

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