Why They Must Not Take Office Again
The Moral Case
Conditional support to the communities you say you love and serve is a choice you make. If elected politicians cannot genuinely speak for the interests of all, it means that party politics trumps their needs. No lesson is ever learned when a party can dictate how to represent the community and still be allowed to hold power. Further, playing politics with community outrage and concern means one has lost the moral case to lead. It is unfathomable that one be condemned and the other enabled and afforded silence. Australia condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but will not condemn Israel for its illegal occupation and genocide it has committed against Palestinians. Accordingly, there is no sound or moral basis upon which current ministers could argue for their re-election. The moment any candidate steps forward, he/she takes on the burden and the responsibility of fulfilling their promises. When this is qualified, their position become untenable.
Politicians Have Never Seen Muslim Communities Mobilise
We’ve had 24 Years
Since the September 11 attacks, Muslims across the world and In Australia have been the subject of vicious discourse by politicians and the media. No country has produced more counter-terrorism legislation than Australia. Even with Labor in power, politicians continue to target and exploit every unfortunate event – that is almost always considered a “criminal offence” for others but “terrorism” for Muslims. The pattern of political behaviour is that mental illness is never the case for Muslims, terrorists can only be Muslim, and non-Muslims are always given the benefit of the doubt. Government officials meet with community members defending homemade bombs placed on a car with a Palestinian flag – as a “general crime”. For the last 24 years, Muslim communities have been subject to targeted security legislation, religious profiling by law enforcement agencies and vicious discourse that has created a fertile environment for discrimination against Muslims. It’s time this changed. Politicians have never seen Muslim communities mobilise – but what if they did?
They Failed to Condemn & Expect to be Rewarded
When people champion the cause of politicians who historically presented themselves as supporters of communities and made some feel warm and important over the years, one could almost be forgiven for overlooking their manoeuvring on minor issues and offering them some political excuse. However, these politicians are the same people who hid behind party politics when their representation was desperately called for. Whether it’s immigration, terrorism, and above all, genocide, the Labor Party has failed to act as it should have and failed to condemn yet expect to be rewarded. By default, human beings do not shift positions when they are assured of their position. This is why the community needs to move on. Communities cannot be taken seriously while they are caught in the vicious game of political manoeuvring. It is time to future-proof the community.
The Myth of Labor’s “Better” Stance
Calls to defend the Labor Party have been raised by some within the community, with claims like: “Labor is better than Liberal,” “Labor has done more for Palestine,” and “The Muslim community will go backward if we vote against them.” There’s also the argument that “It’s better to have Labor voices in Canberra than to lose them by opposing the party.” While this can be argued, it sidesteps a critical issue—what is the cost of blind loyalty when those voices fail to stand up for justice and community values?
For decades, Labor has benefited from the community’s unwavering support, yet when it comes to the most urgent issues, i.e. Palestine, they have been quick to offer half-measures and political rhetoric. The moral bankruptcy of this position cannot be ignored. It’s time to break free from the illusion that Labor is inherently better. Sending the message “the days of unquestioned loyalty are over” must be done for change. Accountability, not complacency. If we do not make our voices heard now, we risk being overlooked, again and again, in the future.
The Muslim Vote