Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2002-10-15
Can the minister advise the House of the response to the Bali bombing incident from the Northern Territory’s proud multicultural community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the events in Bali have affected all our community in Australia and certainly in Darwin. In Darwin, in particular, we have a very multicultural society. I have already been advised that members of the Territory’s German community have approached my department and they suggested that they postpone the celebration of Oktoberfest. I do not think this will happen. We do not want to capitulate to the terrorists. We should continue with the celebration of Oktoberfest and other similar celebrations because they are celebrations of the multicultural character of the Northern Territory.
I have also had a phone call from the President of the Islamic Society, Dr Asad Mohsin who advised me that Territorians of Indonesian background called the Islamic community and expressed their deep concern and distress at the attack in Bali. They are very concerned about the senseless harm that was done to the lives of many Australians and other people in Bali, the Balinese people, especially because this act contradicts the peaceful teaching of the Qur’an.
The Islamic Society of the Northern Territory wholeheartedly endorses the position of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. The council said yesterday that victims of the attacks are fellow Australians and we should stand together at this time. Australia is a peaceful country with people from all over the world, and we call upon our community and the broader community to stand together and work towards peace and harmony.
I am very proud to say that this is exactly what Territorians have done and continue to do despite the senseless aim of the Bali attack to destabilise our society and our region. Territorians are cohesive.
I would also like to commend the Police Ethnic Advisory Council group for the work it has done. As Dr Asad Mohsin told me, they did not have any incidents at the mosque or against any member of the Islamic community, and I am very proud of that.
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the events in Bali have affected all our community in Australia and certainly in Darwin. In Darwin, in particular, we have a very multicultural society. I have already been advised that members of the Territory’s German community have approached my department and they suggested that they postpone the celebration of Oktoberfest. I do not think this will happen. We do not want to capitulate to the terrorists. We should continue with the celebration of Oktoberfest and other similar celebrations because they are celebrations of the multicultural character of the Northern Territory.
I have also had a phone call from the President of the Islamic Society, Dr Asad Mohsin who advised me that Territorians of Indonesian background called the Islamic community and expressed their deep concern and distress at the attack in Bali. They are very concerned about the senseless harm that was done to the lives of many Australians and other people in Bali, the Balinese people, especially because this act contradicts the peaceful teaching of the Qur’an.
The Islamic Society of the Northern Territory wholeheartedly endorses the position of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. The council said yesterday that victims of the attacks are fellow Australians and we should stand together at this time. Australia is a peaceful country with people from all over the world, and we call upon our community and the broader community to stand together and work towards peace and harmony.
I am very proud to say that this is exactly what Territorians have done and continue to do despite the senseless aim of the Bali attack to destabilise our society and our region. Territorians are cohesive.
I would also like to commend the Police Ethnic Advisory Council group for the work it has done. As Dr Asad Mohsin told me, they did not have any incidents at the mosque or against any member of the Islamic community, and I am very proud of that.
Mr STIRLING (Leader of Government Business): Madam Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016