Opposition denies anti-Muslim agenda

Posted 14 minutes ago

A senior Opposition MP Has denied claims the Coalition is seeking to exploit community concerns about Muslim immigration, and is taking its policy lead from right-wing party One Nation.

The Sydney Morning Herald says Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison urged shadow cabinet to capitalise on electorate fears of "Muslim immigration", "Muslims in Australia" and Muslim migrants' "inability to integrate".

But Opposition frontbencher Greg Hunt has denied the Opposition is seeking to exploit religion to garner votes.

"Our position is very clear. That we are completely colour blind, race blind, religion blind on the issue of immigration," he said.

"Where we do have a difference with the Government is where people are being lured with policies to travel in dangerous leaky boats, then we think that is a great risk to common humanity."

While refusing to deny Mr Morrison made the comments, Mt Hunt says the immigration spokesman is a compassionate man.

"Unfortunately I wasn't at the meeting, but I know Scott, and his style is deep compassion, he is deeply compassionate, he agonises around the issues of protecting people who are being lured to their deaths," he said.

The Opposition has been under pressure as reports of a split in the party over the issue have emerged in the media.

Mr Morrison was forced to apologise for the timing of his comments on the burial of several asylum seekers after Joe Hockey publicly contradicted him, and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's calls to cut foreign aid were reportedly met with fury by his deputy, Julie Bishop.

But Mr Hunt says the Opposition is united on the issue of immigration.

"[We've got] absolute unity on a completely non-racial policy, that is a fundamental tenant of who we are, but absolute unity on a very, very tough approach to ensure that people smugglers do not lure innocent victims to tragic ends on leaky boats," he said.

One Nation policy


Mr Hunt dismissed claims the Coalition is looking to One Nation for policies.

In an interview with The Australian, Queensland One Nation director Ian Nelson says the Opposition stole their idea of cutting aid to Indonesian schools to help pay for Queensland's flood recovery.

"They can deny all they like, but the idea came from us," he said.

Mr Nelson says he made the call to channel foreign aid into the flood recovery on One Nation's website in the aftermath of the floods in and around Brisbane.

"After watching this tragedy unfold, we need to see a new model produced with regards to aid, especially foreign aid. Wouldn't common sense dictate that you take care of your own citizens first and foremost?" he wrote on the site.

Within weeks Mr Abbott had adopted the policy, calling for $500 million in funding for schools in Indonesia to be cut.

But Mr Hunt says the policy has been proposed throughout the community.

"I think you'll find that lots of people have very strong views, I think you heard in the last few days, the chairman of the Business Council of Australia raised precisely the same point," he said.

Earlier this week Mr Abbott backed ACT Senator Gary Humphries's right to present a three-signature petition demanding a 10-year moratorium on Muslim immigration to the ACT parliament, but said he did not agree with its proposal.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/17/3141208.htm?section=justin
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I actually Like quite a few of One Nations Policies, so if they did decide to go with a few of theirs, I doubt all but 2% of the Australian population would complain.


Most Australians want action on border control, even if we are too PC to say so...and the polls suggest this fact.

Some of us here might be reluctant to admit they would like to see a return to Howards tighter border policies, but i'm sure as hell not, this and think I am well within my rights supporting any party, policy of my choosing.

Calling me a racist, or a xenophobe wont deter me from voting for  what party I believe to be devising the best policies concerning the welfare of my nations people, for future generations of Australians to come.

I think the time has come to stop the boats.

I think the time has come to accept the tension in our community concerning Muslim groups, and their apparent struggles assimilating into our western society, and whilst I realise not all Muslims are problematic, I think the more extreme and damaged are what's arriving by boat...this and setting the standard unfortunately.


But we have to do what's best for the country, if we don't pull the breaks up now.

For all our sake.

mellie wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 9:58am:

Here comes the damage control.
the Libs have proved yet again why they need to spend a lot of time in opposition.Maybe when they get a non xenophobic leader they can be considered as an alternative government.

mellie wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 9:58am:


Riiightt.. The fact it came out from a cabinet meeting shows it's a leak. Of course they'll deny.  Shows they don't want to be seen as xenophobic bigots... wonder why?  So much for "conviction."

the word "bigot" is spoken as though it were a BAD thing !!!!!!!!

I'll vote for any party with an anti-muslim sentiment.
stick that in your pc hat

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 10:22am:



It's definitely time for a change Sprint.

They have had a good run, we have gone without ourselves to give a decent amount of them a fresh start here in Australia, and rather than thank us..... what do they do?

Lol..abuse us for not allowing them to continue draining our economy at the tax-payers expense.

Unbelievable!!  Ungrateful much?!!!

But sadly, we have run out of money.


Sorry.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 10:22am:

I'll vote for any party that removes those rightarded Kiwi immigrants who come here and bludge off Australia.

skippy. wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 10:28am:



They are ANZAC's we are brothers in arms.

sir prince duke alevine wrote on Feb 17^th, 2011 at 10:29am:



We aren't the minority here , you are.

Enjoy!