Published: 28.08.05

Nelson rejects school headscarf ban
 

Bronwyn Bishop believes Muslim headscarves should be banned in public schools. (File photo) (Reuters)

Nelson rejects school headscarf ban
Federal Education Minister Brendon Nelson says children should be able to wear religious symbols to school, including headscarves if they are Muslim, providing they are part of a uniform.

Federal Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop has advocated a ban on Muslim girls wearing headscarves at public schools after it was raised by fellow Liberal MP Sophie Panopoulos.

"The headscarf is being used as a sort of iconic item of defiance," Ms Bishop told Channel Seven.

"I'm talking about in state schools. If people are in Islamic schools and that's their uniform, that's fine. In private life, that's fine."

Dr Nelson says Ms Bishop is entitled to her view.

"As far as the Government is concerned, we defend the rights of all Australian children to be able to go to schools which their parents think best meet the needs of their own children and, in doing so, to wear the symbols of their own religious conviction and affiliation, so long as they are consistent with broader school's uniform policies," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, Labor accused Dr Nelson of going "over the top" by suggesting that Muslims who do not support Australian values should "clear off".

Dr Nelson made the comment ahead of meetings with Islamic schools about the teaching of Australian values.

Labor education spokeswoman Jenny Macklin agrees with the Federal Government's push to make school funding conditional on the teaching of Australian values.

But Ms Macklin has told ABC TV's Insiders program that Dr Nelson has gone too far.

"In suggesting that if people don't do particular things they just 'clear off', what Labor's about is not those over-the-top sort of statements," she said.

"What we put forward were practical ways in which we can make sure that young people learn to understand each other's beliefs and values."

Ms Macklin also says a headscarves ban is extreme.

Ms Macklin says respect and tolerance of different beliefs and customs are Australian values.

She says the Prime Minister should tell the two MPs that the comments are unsuitable.

"These are very extreme statements from Bronwyn Bishop and Sophie Panopoulos and if John Howard has the respect that he espouses for recognising the difference of religious beliefs and customs in this country then he'd pull these two into line," she said.

Source: ABC News Online

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