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The Australian government has been accused of peddling an anti-Muslim sentiment, following the shocking results of a poll which showed almost half of Australia would support a ban on Muslim immigration.
The poll, conducted by Essential Media earlier this week, found that 49 percent of Australians would support a ban, with 41 percent of respondents of the belief that Muslims "do not integrate in Australian society" while more than a quarter - 27 percent - cited the threat of terrorism.
The opposition has on Friday accused the government of inadvertently peddling the anti-Muslim sentiment. Senior Labor figure and opposition defence spokesperson Richard Marles blamed Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who has this year said refugees fleeing Syria and Iraq would be "taking Australian jobs" as well as welfare handouts, according to Nine Network on Friday.
He said it was the government's responsibility to show strong leadership and promote a multicultural Australia - something the nation has taken pride in since the 19th century gold rush.
Government frontbencher and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne rubbished Marles' claims, and said the government was not "anti-Muslim," but pro-border protection.
He said the threat of terrorism did make people nervous, and said "that's why the government and the opposition have to keep reassuring people about the strength of our borders, about national security, putting in place measures to protect us as much as we possibly can."
Meanwhile Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australians cannot buy into the fear-mongering as it is exactly what terror organizations such as Islamic State (IS) wants in Western societies.
The terrorists want to "divide us," he said, as he called for calm on his official website on Friday.
"That is part of their very calculated, very deliberate objective and so that's why we mustn't do it. That is why inclusion, moderation, proclaiming and defending and reinforcing ours, the most successful multicultural society in the world, is so critically important."
‘The thing that keeps us strong, and the thing that keeps us safe is harmony and cohesion,’ said Tanya Plibersek after a poll showed half of Australians want to ban Muslim immigration. Photo: The guardian
Overnight, and following Wednesday's Essential Media poll, controversial One Nation senator Pauline Hanson said the number of Australians who would support a ban on Muslim immigration was likely to be higher than reported, as Australians were afraid of speaking up out of fear of being labeled a racist.
Hanson created waves in Canberra last week when she delivered her maiden speech to the Senate. She said Australia was at risk of being "swamped by Muslims," while she has previously been on record of supporting Donald Trump-style ban on Muslim immigration to Australia, according to Sky News.
(APD)
