PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 14 JANUARY 1991
On behalf of the Australian Government I condemn in the
strongest possible terms the acts of racism and outright
harassment being suffered by Arab Australians and Australian
Muslims. I condemn utterly any attacks made by racist * elements in
Australian society against any group on the basis of their
ethnic origin or religious or cultural adherence.
I am particularly concerned that the recent increase in such
incidents towards Arab Australians and Australian Muslims
relates to the crisis in the Gulf, and reflects some sort of
view that Arab and Muslim Australians may be in some way
disloyal to Australia. Such a view would be utter nonsense.
While Australia is participating in the Gulf Task Force in
accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations, as a
matter of principle, our country does not require of its
citizens, whatever their background, that they agree with
all the Government's policies. All Australians are free to
disagree with the Government's policies, and to express
their disagreements, without their loyalty being called into
question. As a matter of fact, many Arab and Muslim community groups
have expressed support for the fundamental principles
underlying thea Government's response to the Gulf crisis. We
naturally welcome that support without in any way
denigrating the loyalty of those who hold other views.
Freedom of speech and demonstration of belief are
fundamental to Australia's Parliamentary democracy. Part of
Australia's uniqueness today is the success with which a
diversity of immigrants have been attracted to Australia and
given the opportunity to commit their loyalties to a new
nation without having that loyalty constantly questioned.