Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was disgusted by the placard held by one protester in Sydney over the weekend which read, 'Behead those who insult Islam'. This is clearly an incitement to violence, and something I never want to see again in this country. I do not know whether this or other protesters who engaged in incitement to violence are Australian citizens or not, but I encourage Australia's immigration authorities to find out. If they are not Australian citizens, I suggest the immigration authorities consider their powers to take action to deport them—we will be a better country without them.

If they are Australian citizens, let me point out that the citizenship oath requires citizens to swear their allegiance to Australia, 'whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey'. This does not mean you uphold the laws you agree with, or which do not conflict with your religious convictions. It means you uphold all Australian laws. It does not mean you uphold the rights and liberties of those Australian citizens you agree with, and incite violence against those you do not. It means you uphold the rights and liberties of all Australians.

I know the great majority of Australian Muslims including those in my electorate, share my disgust at this behaviour, and it is important that all of us who do not in any way condone political or religious violence speak up to defend this most essential and valuable component of the Australian way of life.