[Greens-Media] Sen. Kerry Nettle: Where's the evidence for crisis in Australian values

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

Where's the evidence for crisis in Australian values

12.09.06

Greens Immigration and Education spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle today
called on Kim Beazley and John Howard to provide evidence of a crisis in
Australian values before accusing migrants and visitors of being a
terrorist threat.

"Yesterday Kim Beazley signed on to John Howard's appalling populist
agenda by suggesting migrants and visitors who don't sign on to
Australian values are part of the terrorist threat," Senator Nettle
said.

In a statement yesterday Mr Beazley said respect for Australian values
'are the front line in the struggle against extremists and terrorists'
and went on to suggest that all visitors should sign a pledge on their
visa applications.

"Where is the evidence that there is a crisis in Australian values in
our community? There is none. It is simply a populist scare campaign.

"In my experience new migrants are some of the most community minded,
hard working people and to imply that their commitment to a safe and
peaceful country is in question is appalling.

"Mr Beazley should think about the effect his comments have on new
migrants and those coming to visit before coming out with ridiculous
unworkable and essentially meaningless proposals like this one.

"The major parties should stop chasing their tails over the threat of
terrorism and instead focus on setting an ethical foreign policy for
this country which would do more than anything else to promote world
peace."
	 

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146