I disagree with what Ms Gillard says.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard - Australia
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.
Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she 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.
'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.
'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 that accepted you.
My appraisal:
Australia, as we know it, did not exist 250 years ago. It came into being when the landmass was used as a dumping ground for criminals. Australia has always been a country people emigrated to, from all over the world. I agree that it has a primarily Christian background, and the first language today is English. However, people coming in from other backgrounds, whether they be Muslim, Hindi or whatever, should be able to worship as they see fit. They should be able to speak their own language as they see fit, whilst adopting English as a second language. The way Ms Gillard has expressed herself is hostile and racist. She claims to be Christian, well, her attitude is far from Christian. The only way to deal with the issues that she seeks to address is to talk with the relevant groups. Not encourage them to leave. Maybe the Aborigines should encourage the white settlers to leave.
