"...as Prime Minister John Howard acknowledged Wednesday this week's riots may have harmed Australia's image abroad."
To hell with "global consensus" and "image abroad", Australia's prime minister is first and foremost accountable to Australian citizens! Australia FIRST!
Prime Minister Howard should not be worried about Australia's image abroad, just as America could give a hoot less about what others think of us. Do the right thing and get rid of these Muslims - eventually they only bring trouble.