Topics: Principal’s antisemitic social media posts
Peta Credlin: Let’s go now to an issue where I think we need to draw a clear line in the sand and do more than just mouth words of condemnation. In the New South Wales regional town of Young the new principal of the Islamic school – it’s called the New Madinah College – has posted a series of antisemitic posts to his public Facebook page. This principal, Sheik Abdughani Albaf, has rightly come under fire from political and Jewish leaders over a series of divisive and inflammatory anti-Israel posts over this past several months. For more, I’m joined now by Shadow Minister for Education, Liberal Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson – Sarah, thank you for your time. I mean, this is a man responsible for the education of children aged, largely between the ages of four and 16. So it’s influential. We also know that radicalization is happening with younger and younger children. Surely more needs to be done. Frankly, I don’t think condemnation by itself is enough?
Senator Henderson: Well, Peta, good evening, and this is a shocking example of hate and incitement in a school. Of course, the Coalition, we are very strong supporters of faith-based education, and there are many Islamic schools, which are doing a brilliant job around this country, but this is a shocking example of a principal who should not be in the job. As far as I am concerned, I have called on the Education Minister Jason Clare to ensure that he is stood down while there is an investigation. And frankly, the police should also be involved in investigating this matter, because this is arguably inciting violence. School leaders must show the highest standards of integrity and respect for others. This is shocking anti-Jewish hate and incitement, and as far as I’m concerned, he has to go
Peta Credlin: What’s been the response of Jason Clare? Because I am very conscious that his seat of Blaxland has the highest Muslim vote in the country. Has he responded and backed in your call to stand this principal aside?
Senator Henderson: Well, Peta, the last time I checked on his social media, he had been absolutely quiet, as has the Albanese government. And that is not good enough, because we have seen continuing weakness of leadership from Labor, on antisemitism in our universities and schools. Jason Clare could not even call out extremist members of Hizb ut-Tahrir who were protesting at the University of Sydney. It is appalling that we are seeing this continuing weakness of leadership. And I have called on him today to show the moral courage to stand up and call this out. This is simply not good enough. And there are many, many families and who have children at this school who expect the higher standards. And frankly, he is letting all children down and all families down at this school.
Peta Credlin: You’re right to point out Hizb ut-Tahrir because they’re a terror organisation in a number of Allied countries – not so here in Australia. This school, like all independent schools – you’re right – is faith-based, and we should allow these schools to practice and teach their faith without government interference. But it gets taxpayer funding. It’s still regulated, as all schools are, by government officials. Surely, there’s got to be consequences. If we had an election, if you find yourself the education minister – what would you do Sarah Henderson?
Senator Henderson: Well, Peta, there is a legal requirement by the Commonwealth and the states to fund all schools. So, I don’t subscribe to the view that the funding should be placed in peril. But I do subscribe to the view that when you have leaders of schools who are unfit to show leadership, who are divisive, who are spreading hate and incitement, there is no place for them in our education system. And as I say, I think what this principal has said is so serious that the police should investigate. As I mentioned before, I went to, I visited an Islamic school recently in Melbourne. They are really, really concerned about being socially cohesive, about making sure that students get all the right messages about our wonderful country, but this is an example of an educator who, frankly, does not deserve to be in the school system in this country.
Peta Credlin: Sarah, we’ve seen a lot of the hate that’s come out of mosques, particularly in Western Sydney. We’ve got this example of a school I’m aware of other examples of Islamic schools. Do we need an audit of Islamic schools? A lot of them teach in language? Do we need an audit? Do we need to know what they’re teaching kids, and do we need to jump on those who are teaching them un-Australian views in our country and funded by taxpayers?
Senator Henderson: Well, my very first statement when I became the Shadow Education Minister was, `The classroom is for education and not indoctrination’. And you’ve seen those very strong messages from Peter Dutton again a couple of days ago in Melbourne – we won’t tolerate this. And frankly, parents have had a gutful of activism and indoctrination in the classroom. We are rallying against this, and there should be no place for any form of indoctrination in any classroom, regardless of the issue. But in this case, I think there is very, very good cause to be concerned, Peta, and when we do see examples of this terrible indoctrination, then strong action is required. But we’ve seen this go on for many, many months, since October 7, and we have seen such continuing weak leadership from the Albanese government – not standing up to antisemitism, and that, of course, is emboldening these horrific statements, which are continuing to be made across our community.
Peta Credlin: Sarah, do not let up on Jason Clare, I think he’s seeing this through the prism of not what’s right and what Australian values are needing to be defended – he’s seeing it through the prism of his seat – stick it to him please, Sarah. We’re all behind you. I’ll leave it there, thank you for your time.