The simple fact is that without Constitutional (S116) change through a referendum, the Commonwealth does not have the power to introduce any religious law, beit christian, muslim, jewish or jedi knight.

Hawke had a referendum of 4 questions, one of which was "Do you want 'Freedom of Religion'". The answer was a resounding - NO. We already have it - or not have it if you choose not to.

Under OUR law, if two parties enter into a contract, and that contract stipulates aspects of sharia law, then the judiciary would take that into account in the event of a dispute. The over riding law would still be based upon Australian common and contractual law.

The immans that oversaw the signing of Magna Carta by John, and the British Bill of Rights of 1689, the Great Writ of habeas corpus, Constitutional separation of powers etc. - must all now be turning in their graves at how the infidels have abused their sole right to the only true and just legal system.

Those Dam Infidels , always get in the way of a good Jihad and an Islamic take over:
Even Russia has the same problems, just like us, and USA, and Europe, UK-and the list goes on and on and on.
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/printer_1136040.php

scout: I am NOT! a Christian fundamentalist I am a fervent Christian. I have NEVER cast you to hell - so to speak. Anyhow does hell exist? I have NOT attacked you because of your beliefs. I attack foolish, brutal, bloodthirsty paganism I may have ridiculed atheism but I try not to attack the person. If anyone gets offended at what I write then that's their decision to be offended.
As a matter of fact I have bewailed our attitude towards women in the past and just wonder how many budding scientists, artists, writers, philosophers etc we have lost. I think our world would have been a better place - though not perfect as women are also human - had we idiot males nurtured the female half of our population in past ages.
To sharia law in Oz. Should it get a toe-hold then eventually it would encompass non-pagan moslems as well.
Can you picture a blood thirsty priest hacking a hand off and then claiming on medibank :-) Then of course stoning women for having the temerity to be raped by a decent "god fearing?" bloke. Then our lamp posts decorated by the swinging bodies of those who converted away from the religion of peace and love. Then one of the finest attributes of pagan islam - honour? killings. Seriously if Australia were to have the barbaric, sadistic, sharia law then we would be back in the dark ages and a completely uncivilised nation. numbat

When migrants take citizenship ,do they not vow to accept and abide by Australian law? Or do they simply promise to abide by the bits that appeal to them?
It should be strictly and vividly pointed out to them that in this country we live by certain rules that apply to EVERYONE, no exceptions, no dilutions of that law, no variations.
Then they have the choice of becoming Australian or seeking out some other country that will suit their wants .
Citizenship is an honour , something that should be very hard to acquire and something that can be removed if the original contracts are not kept.
We should not have this on going argument.There is no argument. Sharia has no place in this country.

Islam is not a pagan religion numbat. It is one of the three great religions of the world; I forget the other two; but I do recall each of them had periods in their carnation where they burnt, hacked, crucified, stoned or generally treated shabilly the odd punter

sneekeepete: I think you might be referring to a Judaism & Christianity. But that leaves out a few of the others like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and lots of other isms. :)

Your also correct on our own past of hacking and being generally bloodthirsty in the name of religion and its laws. Many of the more repressive christian ideas have had their backs broken by secularists. Immediate examples would be the Magna Carta seperating church & state & slavery being nearly universally outlawed.

Sharia law is in peerage of our own past religious laws. Difference is, western society(and Christianity too) has risen above them. These practises have been left in the past where they belong.. Islam needs to do the same with many aspects of Sharia.

=my2c