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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-25 Daily Xml
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MUSLIM TASK FORCE

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:46): Will the Minister for Multicultural Affairs report to the house on a new Muslim task force that is being set up?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:46): Members of the house would be well aware of recent public debate in relation to the banning of the burqa. Members may recall the statement made by Cory Bernardi, Senator for South Australia, that the burqa has no place in Australian society.

By way of background, currently there are more than 10,000 Muslims in South Australia and the wearing of the burqa is legal. As minister, I joined the debate, defending the right of Muslim women to dress as they choose, just as every non-Muslim is entitled to do. I also said that I would take advice from SAPOL about whether the burqa in fact presents a risk to community safety. I have done that, and the advice from SAPOL is that it is not an issue at present. I also undertook to meet with leaders of the Muslim community—and I did so last week.

A number of important points were made during the meeting. The first point is that the Muslim community is very willing to work with relevant government authorities to establish protocols for the wearing of the burqa. For instance, I discovered that Customs have an arrangement whereby Muslim women present their face for security clearance to a female Customs officer—a system, I am told, that works very well. The Muslim women and men—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —also spoke to me about reports—obviously, the opposition is not concerned—of Muslim women being physically and verbally abused because of their dress. These reports are alarming because it appears that the women are unaware or unsure about the action they should take when this occurs. For instance, should they contact SAPOL? Finally, concerns were raised about South Australian Muslim children who are growing up feeling unwelcome in their own community.

In response to the situation, I have asked Hieu Van Le, Lieutenant Governor and Chairman of the Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, to chair a task force which will include representatives from SAPOL, the EO commission and, obviously, leaders of the Muslim community.

Every person living in South Australia, whether they be Aboriginal, Muslim or Indian, deserves to live in a safe community where difference is valued. I urge the opposition to work with me to address this situation and continue the bipartisan support on which we have always prided ourselves when it comes to multicultural and ethnic affairs in South Australia.

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