Calls for Turnbull to recall radicalisation booklet

September 25, 2015
Issue 
The chorus of those opposing this piece of government porpaganda are growing.

There is a growing chorus of people and groups calling on Malcolm Turnbull to recall and recycle the Radicalisation Awareness Kit that claims environmentalism is a pathway to violent extremism.

The Greens have called for it to be withdrawn from circulation immediately and consigned to the recycling bin.

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale said: β€œThis booklet is so tainted by Tony Abbott’s politics of fear it should be shredded. Malcolm Turnbull has got to assert his leadership and declare Abbott’s culture wars are over.

β€œAustralians who care about our incredible natural environment should be congratulated, not silenced, abandoned and demonised as they have been by this Liberal government.

β€œTo imply that exercising a legitimate democratic right and calling for environmental protection is a gateway to violent extremism is breathtaking.

β€œUsing the politics of fear to silence civil society is a dangerous abuse of power, and Mr Turnbull should put a stop to it.”

Greens Senator for Tasmania and spokesperson on schools Nick McKim said: β€œThis booklet effectively asks teachers to demonise young people who might have a different world view to the government, which risks discouraging critical thinking and the democratic participation that schools should be trying to encourage.

β€œThe idea that listening to alternative music can lead to violent extremism is laughable and clearly not grounded in reality.

β€œWe call on state education ministers to refuse to circulate this material to government school teachers.”

National co-convener of the Socialist Alliance Susan Price told ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Weekly: β€œThis booklet seeks to equate non-violent environmental protest with joining ISIS.

β€œIt attacks radicalism. But many of the gains we have won as workers, women and students have been the result of radical protest. Australia has a rich radical history. This just shows how out of touch this government really is.”

National co-convener of Resistance: Young Socialist Alliance Mia Sanders told ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ Weekly: β€œIt is hard to take this kit seriously. If anything, it's the government's extremist agenda we should be worried about.

β€œThis needs a radical response. Resistance: Young Socialist Alliance is proud to call itself radical. In fact, every year we hold a Radical Ideas Conference. This year, Radical Ideas will be in Sydney, December 4 to 6 and we welcome all radicals.”

[Click to see the Radical Ideas Conference website.]

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