Anti-Muslim Group Presents Petition To Halal Inquiry With 13 Signatures

Why do you think that the number of signitures on this submission matters?

What is important is the argeument that is being put within the submission.

In any event would you make the same argeument about other issues?

I think not.

Just had a look at their website. I can get a Geer Wilders Australian tour t-shirt, with the catchy slogan "A Tolerant Society Is Not A Suicidal Society" for the low price of fifty bucks. Not to mention the Halal shopping bag that tells passers by "This bag is FREE! Halal certification is not. Halal certification funds mosques, madrassas, jihad" (that'll only set me back five). Hal & Al's "72 Virgins" sparkling white wine is a rather pricey seventy two bucks but I'm not clear if that's by the bottle or the dozen. 

We should add Kosher, Vegan, celiac, vegetarian, paleo, and so on... to name just a few. These are also anti australians and do not fit the anglo saxons model of eating....Mash and bang...just to joke.

Australia is a rich country in terms of food and the variety of food that have been introduced since the 1970's.  I remember when I first cam we had only slice cheese ...strong or mild cheddar in the supermarkets. Thanks God (whoever it might be) today to the array of food is a bonanza.

I wonder if THEY would also condemn Kosher food as it might finance some groups in the Middle East and their ongoing wars....since 1948. ANd bring it to parliament for consideration.

This whole circus /argument is a sham, ridicule, farcical and so ignorant. This just fuels racism and hatred. 

The argument is also futile Ian...don't you think that ASIO would already be onto it if that were the case?

well iain it is indicitive of the seeming importance, or not, of the submission

"In a major investigation into organised crime, terrorism, and money laundering, the Australian Crime Commission found no links between the “legitimate halal certification industry” and criminal activity."

Where does it say Halal Certification was investigated? Quite a misleading claim (one of many) by Maxy again.

Can the author link to any investigation into Halal Certification?

http://www.livescience.com/18132-intelligence-social-conservatism-racism.html

Dont you just luv the post modernist version of the WHITE AUSTRALIA POLICY. What a bunch of morally and intellectually bankrupt lot these fools /so called human beings. I find anything they say so repugnant its making me take anti emetics on a daily basis ever since ABBOTTOIRE and his liberal national coallition. Mind you some would call them fascist but not in OZ. yesterdays news gets wrapped in todays fish. 

 Halal certification was originally introduced so companies could export products into Muslim countries.  It was instigated by large corporations seeking to make money from food product! Not by Muslims but by large food producing companies wanting to make a Profit.  Anyone beginning to see what side of the "Coin" this is occurring on???

Even Liberal Party stalwart, Malcolm Turnbull MP, in reply to a boycotter,  

has reiterated government support for halal certification. 

He said

1. "halal certification or preparation in no way changes the quality or safety of the food." 

2. "halal certification and associated fees are not taxes." 

3. "The decision by a food company to meet halal requirements is a voluntary decision" 

4. "Halal certification is not required to be declared on the label"

All the certification means is that Halal food has been blessed, killed and prepared according to a few specific specifications.  (Here is a link to the specifications:  http://madinameats.com/how-to-prepare-halal-food.html). Your food that you buy at the supermarket is killed and prepared according to a few specific specifications called health regulations.  The Muslim regulations are not that dissimilar except for the religious blessings although one could produce an argument for finding food certification a form of secular blessing. And we all know how that certification has been going since lax labelling laws allow frozen berries to be brought in labelled "Made in Australia with local and imported ingredients".  Given Abbott's enthusiasm for FTAs, they will weaken Australia's ability to maintain its own safety standards.  Berries this year, rotten meat last year and the horse meat scandals from the year before. It strikes me that rigid  food specifications are a good thing.

 The Jewish community have food prepared according to a few specific specifications, it is called kosher meals.  They have been doing it for generations here in Australia.

So exactly how does Hallal or Kosher (which no one is carrying on about) food harm anyone? What the inquiry is – in theory – supposed to be about - Certification for foods!  What part of that don't people understand?

PAW.

One could assume that the other 12 signatories are all sitting members from the far-right faction of the LNP.

"They're so far right, they must be wrong!" - Anon

talknic 

No I didn't, you should actually read the link.
There has been no direct investigation into Halal Certification. 

I have long ceased to be outraged by Iain Hall's contrarian, pot-stirring, righty contributions to these forums. His efforts remind me of the guys who regularly defend a certain low cost airline on another site in response to the tales of woe postings by aggrieved customers.  One has to question what their motivations are.   

Paw it states quite clearly  "The Australian Crime Commission-led Eligo National Task Force is focused on the use of the alternative money remittance sector and other informal value transfer systems (IVTS) by serious and organised crime. 

The task force has identified direct links between serious and organised crime, money laundering and terrorism funding. However, the Australian Crime Commission is not aware of any direct links between the legitimate halal certification industry and money laundering or the financing of terrorist groups."

It makes absolutely no reference to any major investigation into the 30+ certifiers in Australia. They make no claim beyond stating that 'they are not aware', Any claim of a "major investigation" is clutching at straws at best. It could just as well have said 'we found no link between halal certification and terrorism during our investigation of art fraud'.

The quote specifically relates to task force Eligo, who's primary role is to investigate money laundering by organised crime through ARS', which is a fairly narrow scope of investigation and certainly would not include a certifier distributing funds through a charity. Of course they're not going to find anything if they don't actually look.

The ACNC however, which is responsible for investigating and managing charities has tried to investigate charities including halal certifiers operating as charities, with regards to connections to overseas distribution of funds. They requested help from the Senate as the job is far too large for them to handle, that is ongoing. Watching money distribution within Australia is certainly achievable, however monitoring it once it reaches a country such as Syria is near impossible.

Why did the ACC specifically mention Halal? I guess you could equally argue why didn't they mention any other aspect of their investigation in that release? - the most likely answer is that someone of influence has asked them to write it.

Here's a warning by ACNC of links between Australian charities and funding of terrorism and yes, many halal certifiers do operate as Australian charities.
http://www.acnc.gov.au/ACNC/Comms/Med_R/MR_118.aspx

I'm certainly not making a claim that Australian certification funds terrorism, but at the same time I would not be surprised if it did eventuate. We've already seen links between AFIC (certifiers) and Man Monis, we've already seen links between charities and terrorism, we've already seen evidence of links between Islamic businesses and terrorism, it seems quite a small step to get to halal certification and terrorism. 

@ ww216

LOL  All that to say nothing of any substance.  WOW!  How clever.

Your link BTW says nothing what so ever about Halal certifiers.

SIKH KHALSA MISSION INCORPORATED (ABN: 14 366 769 006)

The Hon’ble Chairperson, Federal Senate Committee, Parliament House, Canberra,
A.C.T. 2601

— HAMLIN STREET QUAK US HILL, NSW 2763 'h. No. 02 — 9837 2787

Date: 12 June 2015

Senate Committee: Halal Food Certification in Australia

Sikh Khalsa Mission Incorporated (NSW) wishes to submit the following few lines for your kind consideration:

Section 116 of The Australian Constitution says:

“The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.”

According to the understanding of a layperson, it would mean that Australian Government would neither’ interfere nor boost any religion. Then it is not clear as to why “Halal Certification” at the instance of The Australia Federation of Islamic Councils was imposed in 1974? Google search says:

“Halal Certification. in Australia began in 1974. The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils was recommended as the sole authority for the standards and oversight for food products purchased by religious Muslims in Australia.”

But in reality, several foods sold through Super Markets and other retail shops are certified as “Halal”, which often is purchased by those persons, who do not adhere to Islamic way of life. While buying, it is not possible for the customer to go on reading the small prints on each and every food product. Moreover, it is tantamount to impose such products on others without their knowledge.

For the last 40-50 years, adherents of other religions inigi ating from various countries have acquired the Australian Citizenship and most of them do not practice Islamic religion. Kindly have a look at.the Australian Census 2011 population figures under major religions:

1. Christians 13,150,672
2. Buddhism 528,976
3. Islam 476 291
4. Hinduism 275 533
5. Judaism 97 335
6. Sikhism 72 297
7. Plus others 
Total: 21,507,719

Third party certification of food Submission 284

it is not very clear as to why views of one Muslim community were imposed on others since 1974? It is quite likely that in the near future some adherents of other religions may also come up with any other similar requirement. For instance, the current Indian Government has banned the slaughter of cows for eating ’purpose in one State because the Hindus consider “cow” as their mother. Similarly, Jews may come forward with the proposal to buy meat from the “Ko’sher” shops fulfilling requirements of Jewish law. Will the Australian Government also agree to their demand to ban sale of beef in Australia?

Sir, we are not against any other religion or community but our humble request before the Senate Committee is that “Halal Certification” in Australia should be dispensed with. If Islamic community needs any such certification, let them have it provided such products are sold from their own shops. Therefore, we are of the view that such food products should not be sold in the Super Markets, School Canteens, Hospitals, Railway catering, University Shops and Restaurants, etc.

"f’hanks for your favourable consideration.

On Behalf of Sikh Khalsa Mission lncorporated,

GURMIT SINGH, J.P. (NSW),
Sikh Scripture Volunteer & Public Officer Email Address:

But in reality, several foods sold through Super Markets and other retail shops are certified as “Halal”, which often is purchased by those persons, who do not adhere to Islamic way of life. While buying, it is not possible for the customer to go on reading the small prints on each and every food product. Moreover, it is tantamount to impose such products on others without their knowledge. 

"Not possible".

WHY?

If Maxwell Chalmers waits with 'baited' breath, maybe he should stop eating bait - it makes your breath smell, and not nice to be near. Possibly he means waiting with bated breath. Where do these half-educated wannabe journalists come from?

Thanks, DON_de-Plume Do you mean baited error?  I see he has removed the smelly 'i'. Glad to be of assistance to the left.

@ Jack T
"I see he has removed the smelly 'i'. Glad to be of assistance to the left"

You might check on poor Mr HALL while you're at it.... He'll be amazed I'm sure to find himself on the so called 'left'

@Rashid.M

I'm an Atheist so I don't believe blessing something changes it in any way. So you can bless everything on the shelves and it wouldn't affect me.

Some Atheists are just non-believers but I am also anti-religion so I choose not to buy products with any sort of religious connecttion.

It is my choice and I believe it should be on the labels so I can make an informed choice. Other people may have other reasons for wanting religiously certification clearly labelled and that is their right as consumers.

@Rashid.M

I agree with you Rashid that it's not only impractical but damn near impossible to not 'consume any product or any service, any part of whose revenue may eventually go to religious based charities etc.' but I try my hardest. I try to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

I'd also like to say I don't hate people, but I do hate religion. Why? Because people kill in the name of religion as witnessed since it all began. I don't have the same problem with people who are spirituallistic in a non-religious, non-violent way even though I still think it's a load of bs.

Following our 22 year old son's death 8 years ago I had a few too many religious people and spiritual people telling me things to try to justify their beliefs. I really didn't need that at the time.

I am a part of the 1 million women movement in Australia. We aim is to live low carbon lives and currently I am systematically removing plastics from my home. My short term future plans include off-grid electricty and an electric vehicle.

Anyway I think this conversation is done.

Cheers

Inyss

http://www.1millionwomen.com.au/

How you heard of this?

`A WA Liberal MP has claimed Australians are unknowingly being converted to Islam by eating Halal meat.`

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/12032577/halal-meat-converting-aussies-mp/