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Minister Victor Dominello Thanks Muslim Community
MINISTER ACKNOWLEDGES MUSLIM COMMUNITY FOR CONTRIBUTION TO NEW FACIAL IDENTIFICATION LAWS
NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello MP has today acknowledged the positive contribution of Muslim leaders to the development of new facial identification legislation.
Minister Dominello said the O’Farrell Government undertook significant consultation with the Muslim community in the development of the new laws, including through a multi-stakeholder working party, to identify any concerns and experiences in relation to religious head coverings.
The new legislation announced by Premier O’Farrell today shows the willingness and dedication of the NSW Muslim community to work positively with the O’Farrell Government,” Minister Dominello said.
Following a recent legal case, Muslim religious leaders and community organisations very quickly clarified the circumstances in which a woman is to show her face to verify her identity. They continued this strong leadership in the consultations for the new legislation.
I thank the Muslim community for its hard work and commitment in working with the O’Farrell Government, including their meetings with myself and Attorney General Greg Smith, to clarify the rights and responsibilities in this area,” Minister Dominello said.
Minister Dominello further affirmed that freedom of religion is the law in NSW and that the new laws ensure that a balance between the need for identification and respect for cultural and religious practice.
I reiterate the Premier’s point that people will only be required to remove a face covering for as long as it takes to identify themselves and our commitment to ensure identification occurs as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, only the face needs to be shown and those who want to be identified privately for cultural and religious reasons can request to go to a police station.
We will continue to work closely with the NSW Muslim community on this matter and other matters, and the laws will be reviewed in 12 months to measure their effectiveness in terms of both law enforcement and respect for diversity in religious and cultural practise in NSW.
It is also important to note the O’Farrell Government remains opposed to suggested ‘bans’ on Islamic religious dress,” Minister Dominello said.
