Immagration Reform? Need a pointer? Australia may be on to something...
Australia, why can't we do this?
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 of Australia being a multi-cultural
commun ity 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."
