The Federal Government is considering mandatory English language tests for all migrants seeking permanent residency.

Figures show close to one million people in Australia cannot speak basic English. And that number is reportedly rising.

Currently, primary applicants must prove they can understand English by passing a basic conversation test, but their spouses, children and extended family accompanying them do not.

Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge is concerned many of our 190,000 new permanent migrants each year aren’t integrating.

He tells Alan Jones, “the numbers have been growing very steadily over the last decade or so”.

“If you can’t communicate, you can’t integrate.

“We’ve got to be serious about these issues. I don’t think we should be alarmed about them but we need to get on top of them.”

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