From WTF file #4453354322234

At a caucus meeting today, up to nine Labor MPs expressed concern about Mr Beazley's proposal to make anyone entering Australia pledge their commitment to values such as democracy, respect for women and mateship.

Some MPs feared the plan would be misinterpreted and be seen as entering a divisive race debate with the Federal Government, a party spokeswoman said.

"There were a number of caucus members, about nine caucus members, who raised the issue of the visa and values statement," she said.

The spokeswoman said the majority of people who spoke were concerned about the way Labor's stance could be interpreted, but Mr Beazley gave a strong defence of his decision to raise the issue.

He told the meeting Labor should be arguing about the importance of true Australian values and that this was part of that.

The spokeswoman said no one contended that Mr Beazley's statement was adding to divisiveness.

"There was a desire indicated to have a further discussion about these kinds of questions which was really a reference to the broader debate about divisive politics, rather than the very specific debate about visa conditions," she said.

"A number of caucus members indicated their general concern that with (Prime Minister John) Howard re-raising issues associated with the Muslim community, that they were concerned that once again Howard was out there playing divisive politics."

Some caucus members told the meeting that Muslims in their electorate had suffered from being targeted in the past by having their head scarves ripped off, children spat at or being ignored by staff in shops.

"There was a concern about the divisive nature of some of these debates," she said.

Meanwhile, the Australian Greens today accused Mr Howard and Mr Beazley of "appalling populism" for considering asking new arrivals to sign a values pledge.

Senator Kerry Nettle demanded they provide evidence of any crisis of Australian values before insisting on any such requirement.

Mr Howard said he would consider Mr Beazley's suggestion that Australian visa forms could include a statement of Australian values so all people arriving in the country would understand what was expected of them.

"Yesterday, Kim Beazley signed on to John Howard's appalling populist agenda by suggesting migrants and visitors who don't sign on to Australian values are part of the terrorist threat," Senator Nettle said in a statement.

"Where is the evidence that there is a crisis in Australian values in our community? There is none. It is simply a populist scare campaign."

Senator Nettle said new migrants were some of the most community-minded, hard-working people, and it was appalling to question their commitment to a safe and peaceful country.

"Mr Beazley should think about the effect his comments have on new migrants and those coming to visit before coming out with ridiculous unworkable and essentially meaningless proposals like this one," she said.

If someone is coming into your country with the explict plan to blow shit up, do you really think they will be stopped by a "pledge"??

I also love the part about the pledge including "respect for women". Are you going to make current citizens make the pledge?!

WTF??!?