18 October 2005
An effective and appropriate response to terrorism is being threatened by a misguided attack on multiculturalism, Mr Petro Georgiou MP will tell a public lecture tonight.
Hosted by Monash University's Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, the lecture will discuss claims multiculturalism is putting Australia at risk of a terrorist attack.
Mr Georgiou said some commentators had claimed multiculturalism provided a breeding ground for home-grown terrorists because it permitted and encouraged the dissemination of ideas hostile to a liberal democracy.
"The environment they exploit to propagate these ideas was not created by multiculturalism, but is inherent in the very nature of western democracy, with its commitments to freedom of speech, freedom of movement and freedom of religion," he said.
"One commentator has suggested the government should stop funding multicultural services. Would Australia really be safer if the government abolished SBS and stopped funding the teaching of languages other than English?
"Australian multiculturalism has positively contributed to Australian culture and to its values. Its overriding ethos of tolerance and harmony has reinforced the character of our democracy."
Mr Georgiou said any proposals for new counter-terrorism laws would have to be rigorously assessed in terms of their effectiveness and their impact on fundamental Australian values.
Petro Georgiou is the federal Liberal member for Kooyong and a member of the Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs Government backbench committee.
What: 'Multiculturalism and the war on terror' Castan Centre for Human Rights Law free public lecture
When: Tuesday 18 October, 6 - 7 pm
Where: Monash University Law Chambers, 472 Bourke St, Melbourne
RSVP:
castan.centre@law.monash.edu.au or +61 3 9905 3327
For further information contact Ms Natasha Whalley, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457.
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