Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you", he said on National Television.
"I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia : one the Australian law and another Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to another country, which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option", Costello said.
Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off. Basically people who don't want to be Australians, and who don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear off", he said.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."
"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia " "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea ofAustralia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society .. Learn the language!"
"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."
"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."
"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.
"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted." LILLY needs to see this because she has her head buried in the sand. Racist? Whose racists??
http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mu... I completely agree with you. Everything you have stated is what i have been stating for years. As an Aussie, if i go into another country/cultural community, i expect to abide by their laws. I would be treated badly if i tried to push my beliefs and ideals onto those people as they have their own way of living - just like we do in Australia. People leave their own countries to come to Australia for a better life. If they are so desperate to leave their own country, why do they want to make their new country the same as their old? It just doesn't make sense to me. I am not racist. I embrace all ethnic group, however groups need to realise that they are guests to our country and they need to respect and embrace the laws and culture set by their new country. That is not Australian that UN-australian, and probably unamerican too for all I know. Awesome. I wish an American politician would give a similar statement. Well said. Australia the land of the free. Let's keep it that way. Australia has common sense on her side. Being an Aussie myself I might not like our present government for many reasons but I do agree wholeheartedly with these statements.
The thing is a lot of people come to Australia to escape persecution and for a better life for their children if we have the same problems that they are fleeing from well we aren't very good hosts.
We have a large amount of all religions and races and they have got on and fitted in great they are Australian we celebrate all the good things from their home lands and will continue to welcome them.
We do not however want to be held to ransom by people that do not want to fit in with us and they are not always Muslims there are those that can not move on for the good of their children's futures who are our future Australian citizens.
Mr I can see ;I live here and this happened last year and far be from me to stick up for John Howard but he would NEVER not let the Aussie flag fly on Australia day.
It was banned from the Big Day out a concert with lots young people .
We cherish our flag and don't want it used to incite hatred and want all Aussies no matter their colour,religion or what country they are from or to feel the same pride in it we do. this planet is for everybody it is not up to you nor to the Australian to send people to another planet what do you think you are
this is a racist question, Muslim respect all religions and respect people's belief OMG....TMI This is a load of crap. This never happened and that email has been circulating around since 2005.
John Howard refused to let the Australian flag fly on Australia Day 2007 because it might offend people. I SAY SCREW HIM!!!
FIND A VALID LINK TO ANY AUSSIE NEWSPAPER ABOUT THIS AND I MIGHT BELIEVE YOU!!!!!~! That's a nice little speech. It hits all the right buttons, and makes all the right points. Why isn't America like Austrailia? Because we value principles and individual rights in our Bill of Rights, and by your own little speech, you do not.
First and foremost is Freedom of Speech, followed by Freedom of Religion, and probably most important of all, THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. |
