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Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I direct my question without notice to the Treasurer, representing the Premier. Is it a fact that various Governments, such as the French and Singaporean governments, have now prohibited the wearing of Muslim veils by female students in state or government schools to discourage divisiveness and promote unity and tolerance? Will the Government investigate the impact of Muslim female students wearing veils in New South Wales infant, primary and high schools? If the results are negative, will the Government adopt the same policy as that implemented by the French and Singaporean governments?
The Hon. MICHAEL EGAN: I normally do not try to answer questions directed to me in my capacity as a Minister representing Ministers in another place. However, I will answer this one because I am sure the Premier would have the same view that I have—that is, to reject any such suggestion. Given what happened in Bali, we are all obliged to do what we can to enhance harmony in the community. All honourable members should remind second, third, fourth and fifth-generation Australians that there are cultural differences in our community and that they are not to be derided—they should be recognised and honoured.
Muslim women who strictly observe their religion wear a garb that is unfamiliar to many other Australians. However, it was not long ago that women of my own religion—that is, nuns who taught me—wore a very similar outfit. The Mercy nuns, the Good Samaritan nuns all wore similar garments. For very good reasons, they no longer wear them, but that is not the point. There are cultural differences and no-one should try to hide them. As I said, they should be recognised and honoured. I do not think the New South Wales Government will be following the lead of Singapore or France. I was going to say something disparaging about the French Government, but I will not. One need only observe what it is doing with agricultural subsidies and industries to get a clear idea of—I will not say what I was going to say.
Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I have a supplementary question. The question related to students in schools, not adult Muslim women wearing veils. That is a completely different issue.
The Hon. MICHAEL EGAN: I make the same point. When I went to school I wore a uniform that clearly distinguished me as a rock chopper, and I had no problems with that. But that was at a time when we had religious divisions in our community. The way to overcome that was not to prevent me wearing my school uniform, and it was not to prevent me putting ash on my forehead on Ash Wednesday. So I do not think that is a solution at all.