Posted on 02/26/2006 2:54:22 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
TREASURER Peter Costello has stepped up his attack on extremist Muslims, accusing some migrants of seeing the pledge of allegiance as a formality.
But the Opposition said if any jihadists had migrated to Australia, it was the Government's fault for not enforcing immigration laws.
The Australian Democrats have also accused Mr Costello of taking cheap shots at easy targets.
Mr Costello last week attacked "mushy multiculturalism" and likened abiding by Australian laws and values in the host country to removing shoes when entering a mosque -- a sign of respect.
Muslim leaders accused him of promoting Islamophobia and said the Government was running an anti-Muslim campaign. But Mr Costello said yesterday he was surprised anyone would find his comments controversial.
"Is it provocative to say that citizens should be loyal to Australia, that they should abide by the rule of law, that they should respect the rights and liberties of others?" Mr Costello said.
But Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said if jihadists had immigrated, the Government wasn't doing its job during the screening process. "You are not permitted, if you happen to be a jihadist and intending to impose sharia law on the Australian people, to come into this country as a migrant," he said.
Does Mr. Costello clank when he walks?
We could use a few like Peter in the States.
The beginning of the end for Muhammad's invaders came when you turned back that ship of illegal alien Muslim refugees. Harsh but you have not been bothered since
While the idiots in charge here about to let in 10,000 from the USSR. Putin is off loading his pests onto America
Agreed. If the Tampa had got through, they ALL would have got through!
Gotta love the Aussies for showing some backbone.
I'd love to see our leaders talking like that. Must visit Australia.
You mean you haven't....?
I wonder; could we get Peter Costello to come and run our country for us? We could trade our RINOS and democrats for him.
Excuse me, but what makes you think we want your RINOs and dems? No thanks...try Siberia! :)
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