A young Australian has reignited a decade-old debate over whether Sharia law should be recognized in Australia, claiming those who want it should leave the country.
Sharia is the body of religious law that is part of the Islamic tradition and is observed by many of Australia’s more than 813,000 Muslims.
Essentially, Sharia regulates legal relationships, including marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance, as well as contractual and commercial transactions.
Indigenous woman Madison King reignited the debate after she was sent a screenshot of a 2010 report by Ann Black examining the case for legal recognition of Sharia law in Australia.
The report examined whether there was a desire among Australian Muslims for Sharia law to be amended, particularly in the areas of family law and finance.
It found that certain members of the Islamic community were advocating for the formal recognition of Sharia law as a means of recognizing cultural and religious needs while aligning with their faith.
The report examines whether Sharia law can be incorporated into Australia’s secular legal system without compromising existing legal principles.
However, it concluded that maintaining the current legal framework was the best course of action.
Indigenous woman Madison King (pictured) claimed that those who wanted Sharia law should ‘go back and live in a country that meets your standards’
Ms King said Sharia law has no place in Australia
‘You came to Australia for a better life. You came here with the intention of belonging, living a peaceful life and having a safe home.
“It is not our duty to bring your laws here and introduce us to yours. We are not interested.
‘If our values and way of life don’t suit you, go back and live in a country that suits you.’
She claimed that Australians would not settle in Japan, Thailand or China and expect to impose their culture and laws in another country.
“I’m all for people having their own religion and following it, but there is one law in Australia and that’s it,” one person wrote.
In 2011, former Attorney General Robert McClelland emphatically rejected the introduction of Sharia law in Australia.
“There is no place for Sharia law in Australian society and the government strongly rejects any proposal to introduce it,” McClelland told AAP.
Sharia is the body of religious law that is part of the Islamic tradition and is observed by many of Australia’s more than 813,000 Muslims
“As our Citizenship Pledge makes clear, coming to Australia means obeying Australian laws and upholding Australian values.
‘Australian multiculturalism promotes integration. If there is any inconsistency between cultural values and the rule of law, then Australian law wins.”
Mr McClelland explained that the government’s response was for a ‘stable democracy’ in which a single, unified legal framework underpinned society.
‘People who migrate to Australia do so because we have a free, open and tolerant society where men and women are equal before the law, regardless of race, religious or cultural background.’