Talks on preventing radicalisation of Melbourne youths will be held between the Napthine Government and Islamic groups after some prominent leaders boycotted talks with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
A meeting between Mr Abbott and 15 community leaders in Melbourne yesterday got off to a rocky start after the Islamic Council of Victoria pulled out over what it called inflammatory remarks by the PM.
Mr Abbott took to radio ahead of similar talks in Sydney on Monday to call for “moderate Muslims” to speak out against threats and for migrants to join “team Australia”.
The council’s secretary, Ghaith Krayem, said Mr Abbott’s comments were “ill-informed and inflammatory” and his meetings this week were tokenistic.
“What we look for from our Prime Minister is true leadership in difficult times but what we find ... is a Prime Minister who wilfully places our community in the crosshairs of every bigot and racist in the country,” Mr Krayem said.
He said a genuine effort to tackle the disillusionment and disenfranchisement of some Muslims must involve action on foreign policy, “growing Islamophobia” and discrimination against young Muslims.
Mr Abbott welcomed the “loyalty that Muslim leaders expressed for Australia” in yesterday’s meetings, which had tackled radicalisation, he said.
“The Government intends to announce further measures in this area,” he said. “I explained the Government’s concern is to prevent crime, particularly terrorist crime, and not to target any particular group of Australians.”
Victorian Multicultural and Citizenship Minister Matthew Guy said he wanted to meet with the state’s Islamic leaders to ensure the community felt valued. He hoped he could mediate between the council and Abbott Government.
“We want the Islamic Council to feel and know that they’ve got the Government’s support when it comes to helping with engaging younger people in their community,” Mr Guy said.