This is all about marketing - nothing more and nothing less.
Somebody is targetting somebody else to get some of their money.
To link this with some sort of quasi-religious conspiracy is just plain crazy.

The link would probably have to be MONEY.

The stunning process prior to slaughter was made a requirement for humane reasons-- so there exists the issue of the wretched animals having their throats cut and conscious..I'm not too fussed about being expected to negate my sensibilities to accomodate someone else's culture.

I guess that if you want some pork chops you can't get them at a Halal butcher. I imagine a halal butcher selling pork or a leg of ham wouldn't get many Islamic customers. It also follows that a Halal sign would deter a lot of non-muslims because of images of honour killings, terrorism etc. associated with the religion. It would be rather weird to wait behind a women under a black sheet in a butcher shop.

Jolanda... you may have a case there on the 'taste' issue...
if you can show that there are significant differences in taste, and then, if there is a particular religious ceremony performed over the meat, then you would have grounds for suggesting discrimination.

Its worth exploring anyway if u feel strongly about it
cheers

The process of turning our meat into Halal meat isn't so obvious that they remove all the pork and have their woman staff wear burkas. The butcher shops that I am talking about are run by Australians and have seen the sign in more than one butcher. They just have a sign on the wall, an authorisation and authentication stating that their meat and products have been processed in accordance with the Halal tradition and ways and it is certified by the Islamic Association.

I guess removing the pork/ham will probably be next. It has happened in some hospitals, as well as removing bibles, not wanting Australians to wave flags etc etc. All so as to show the Muslims respect and not offend the Muslims.

But what about the non Muslims? What about the Catholics and otherwise? Why is there more respect afforded to Muslims and their beliefs and ways than what they are prepared to afford to others.

The Muslims are not prepared to accept and respect the Australian traditions and ways, they want us to change to accomodate them. Why should we change in ways that are contrary to our culture, this is Australia they came here so surely they should change.