Howard backs Debnam over ethnic crime row (Australian race riots)

Daily Telegraph ^ | 20 Jan 06

[Fair Go]

PRIME Minister John Howard has backed NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam amid Labor criticism of the state Liberal leader's comments on ethnic crime. Mr Debnam has criticised the failure by police to arrest people of Middle Eastern descent who carried out revenge attacks after the Cronulla Beach riot on NSW Premier Morris Iemma has accused Mr Debnam of setting a bad example for the community by showing no respect for police. But Mr Howard today defended Mr Debnam. "I am not going to buy into what's the cut and thrust of state politics in NSW except to observe the leader of the opposition is doing a very good job of articulating his party's position," Mr Howard told reporters. "I think Peter Debnam has done very well as an opposition leader and he enjoys my full support." On the issue of ethnic crime, Mr Howard said he believed the law should be applied without regard to a person's background. "What I believe is when people break the law, irrespective of their background, they should be relentlessly pursued and punished," he said. "The very essence of all of these things is to treat everybody as an Australian and not a hyphenated Australian."

[Fair Go]

John Howard has been described as the most intelligent of all conservative leaders. How about the most intelligent of all leaders.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

It amazes me just how far some Australians will go not to say anything "politically incorrect". From what I hear, the "Lebs" deserve most of the disgust they provoke.

[vimto]

"The very essence of all of these things is to treat everybody as an Australian and not a hyphenated Australian."

The problem is it is the liberal and minority groups who apply the hyphen to to themselves. so for example, I hear of people who describe themselves as British-Muslims where nationality is clearly subordinate to religious identity. I am a Christian but if asked for my nationality I am British - with no qualification.

We are fragmenting society by perpetuating such self appointed special interest sub-groups (not intended in any pejorative sense).

[ConsentofGoverned]

We are fragmenting society by perpetuating such self appointed special interest sub-groups (not intended in any pejorative sense).
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>......
These groups do not want to be Australian - please get the point - they want Australia to change to the Muslim way..your liberals will lead you to the gas chambers

[dennisw]

Fine news from our Australian brothers in arms

[vimto]

I agree with you - Perhaps I didn't express myself very well (not for the first time) - I was saying that every time we let people get away these hyphens (meaning we owe our allegiance to something other than this country) we are playing into their hands - we should refuse that kind of slippery response, challenging it whenever it comes up.