The Government introduced a wave of support in the 2020 budget announcement for incoming migrants looking to call Australia home.

Speaking to multicultural media, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this budget is “for multicultural Australia”.

“Our multicultural communities and citizens are more likely to start a business, more likely to own a business, more likely to employ other Australians, and we’re seeing that across so many different communities,” Scott Morrison said.

READ MORE: Scott Morrison: ‘This is a budget for multicultural Australia’

However, one such implementation to the migration process is the additional importance placed on the new Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Foreigners looking to apply for Partner Visa’s will now be required to complete 500 hours of English classes before they are allowed to stay in Australia permanently.

Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge revealed new details of the English language requirements, also pointing to a previously announced overhaul of the AMEP, giving migrants access to unlimited English classes free of charge.

Community debate was sparked on social media over the newly introduced requirement, with Greeks raising the question: “Since when does speaking English determine your worth?”

“My migrant parents didn’t speak a word of English when they came from Greece,” ASRC Founder and CEO Kon Karapanagiotidis said on Twitter.

“Raised 2 human rights lawyers with 8 degrees & an Order of Australia. Under this government they never would have been allowed in.”

Many others were quick to voice their concerns, with people saying the new English requirements are restrictive on all cultures that have come to Australia, recognising the country as a multicultural hub.

“My best friend at school’s family came from Greece. The only words in English he spoke during his speech at her 21st were ‘Eat, drink, good time.’ Caring can be communicated in many ways other than language and they were some of the best people I’ve ever known,” one user wrote on Twitter.

“How many of us would not be here? My grandparents came from Finland in 1920’s ( no English). My husband, his brothers & his parents ( No English) came here from Cyprus in the 80’s,” another user wrote.

The Australian Prime Minister claims that learning English is “vital tool” for social and economic inclusion.

“If you’re unable to engage in the first language of that country, which in Australia is English, then you will have opportunities limited in this country. Not by the government and not by anyone else, but by language challenges,” the Prime Minister says.

The Prime Minister added that he still encourages other languages to be spoken, contributing to Australia’s diverse community, yet learning English is a “necessity”.

A $244 million blueprint to revamp the former Land Titles Office has been proposed to the state government.

As part of the plan, developers have teamed with The Hellenic Museum to construct a new Greek museum, making Melbourne the first city to house a permanent Benaki Museum outside of Greece.

Also part of the plans are an international exhibition space and 29-storey commercial tower, being built above one of Melbourne’s oldest buildings.

But the plans will first have to win the support of the government and Heritage Victoria. The building is listed on the state register for its architectural and historic significance.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, ISPT chief executive Daryl Browning said the project would revitalise the precinct and restore heritage appeal.

“We believe it’s a really good outcome for the community,’ he said.

Mr Browning said the heritage buildings would house the Hellenic and Benaki museums and be open to the public for the first time.

“For most Melburnians, they’ve never seen inside those buildings because when they held the titles they were very valuable and secure documents,’’ he said.

“So Joe Public would never have seen the titles holding area and we thought that precinct would be revitalised by both the tower and the concept that was sympathetic to the heritage of the old building, but open it up so that Melbourne can experience it brought back to its grandeur.’’

Development of the commercial tower would foot the bill and The Hellenic Museum would be offered a rent-free lease for 50 years.

The former Land Titles Office is one of only two surviving 19th century buildings that extend along a complete Melbourne city block, along with the Supreme Court.

A report to government said the importance of the site to Victoria “requires a particularly creative adaptive reuse solution … that reflects the ever-changing, vibrant and lively contemporary city of Melbourne whilst simultaneously remaining respectful and sympathetic to its heritage value,’’ it said.

If approved, construction is likely commence next year and take up to three years to complete.

A young man who was involved in a crash that killed senior police officer Joanne Shanahan and a mother in April has pleaded not guilty in court yesterday.

Harrison Kitt pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing aggravated harm by dangerous driving in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday morning, ABC News reports.

David Edwardson QC, for Mr Kitt, reportedly told the court that his client has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and has manic episodes and psychotic features.

He said the diagnosis had been confirmed by a clinical psychiatrist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Senior Greek Australian police officer Joanne Shanahan, 55, and mother Tania McNeill, 53, died in the crash at the intersection of Cross Road and Fullarton Road at Urrbrae on April 25.

READ MORE: Police officers and SA community bid public farewell to Joanne Shanahan
READ MORE: Harrison Kitt makes first court appearance after crash that killed Joanne Shanahan

Joanne Shanahan (nee Panayiotou) was a mother-of-two and well-respected Detective Chief Superintendent prior to her tragic death.

“Not only have we lost a beautiful person, we’ve lost a detective with a wealth of knowledge,’ Commissioner Stevens told media upon her death.

The court heard reports into Mr Kitt’s mental competence could not be ordered until he has been committed to the District Court.

Mr Kitt has been ordered to stand trial in the District Court of South Australia. Magistrate Jay McGrath set an arraignment date in the District Court for January 15, 2021.

Police officers and SA community bid a public farewell to Joanne on May 8, with police flanking the streets of Adelaide’s inner south to say their last goodbyes.

A community debate is brewing in Bondi after Wentworth Courier revealed on Wednesday the proposed plans to corner off a section of Bondi Beach and privatise it to build a new ‘Amalfi Beach Club’.

Still in early proposal stages, a letter was obtained by Wentworth Courier, written by North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club president Andrew Christopher to mayor Paula Masselos following the media storm.

READ MORE: Plans for Bondi Beach to introduce Greek-style ‘beachside club’

“I note the proposal under consideration by Waverley Council to cordon off part of the beach for the exclusive use of fee paying private patrons,” Mr Christopher wrote.

“As representatives of one of Australia’s oldest Surf Life Saving Club, the Board of NBSLC has real concerns with this proposal, as it has been described in the media, and considers it to be at odds with the open and egalitarian access to the beach, and Bondi Beach especially, that has been a permanent and much cherished feature of Australian life.”

The beach club would cover around two per cent of the iconic beach, near Roscoe St for the summer. The area will be able to hold up to 100 guests at a time who can choose between the 10 cabanas, four booths or 20 sun lounges.

The Greens have slammed the proposal with party member, proud First Nations man and Bondi Ward councillor Dominic WY Kanak vowing to vote against it should it come before a council meeting.

“If the beach belongs to anyone its First Nations land,” Cr WY Kanak said.

“No parts of Bondi Beach should be the exclusive playground for the elite and the rich.

“We will not allow the sale of our beaches.”

Amalfi Beach Club’s Janek Gazecki has defended the concept, pointing to the waves of support flowing in and the boost it would give to struggling local businesses.

He clarified the $80 per person fee to book a two hour slot in a cabana would be credited to the patron’s food and beverage bill which would be serviced by a revolving selection of local restaurants.

“It’s not a crime to have a premium database of high net worth individuals,” Mr Gazecki said.

“Most councils value that for very obvious reasons – they will spend more money in Bondi.

“It will operate an online booking system – first in, best dressed. We are not sitting there picking and choosing.”

Mr Gazecki said he was more than willing to compromise with council such as by paying for an extra lifeguard on duty and even closing down the club on days the beach was forecast to be extra busy.

“It’s good for the community, good for vibrancy,” Mr Gazecki said.

“Whoever doesn’t want to support the local restaurants in this way can simply sit on the beach as they always have done.”