How many people are aware that the ADF (supposed to be our defence against our enemies) employs a Muslim imam (Mohamad Nawwaz Saleem) who is a supporter of Hizb ut Tahir, a group proscribed as a terrorist organisation just about everywhere except Australia?

Cory Bernadi, Australian Conservatives, recently asked Defence Minister Payne to justify the continued employment of this supporter of “un-Australian, anti-democratic principles”.

The best Payne could come up with was that Saleem's views were his own, and not those of the ADF!

What on earth is going on in this country? How did we get such lunatics posing as politicians?

Defies belief ttbn. Liberal party again showing total lack of courage standing up to regressives.

According to The Australian newspaper, Imam Mohamadu Nawaz Saleem
was appointed by the Australian Defence Force as a Muslim cleric
in 2015. He was appointed to their religious advisory panel.
We're told that Imam Mohamadu Nawaz Saleem would join the
Religious Advisory Committee to the Services which provides a
link between the Australian Defence Force and the governing bodies
of faith groups.

The governing bodies of the faith groups now consist of 5 members
from the Christian faith, one Jewish member, and one Muslim
member.

Imam Mohamadu Nawaz Saleem will work with the Muslim community and
other members in providing advice on the religious and spiritual
well being of all members of the Australian Defence Force.

Apparently he was nominated by the Australian National Imams
Council and was a highly experienced Muslim cleric with formal
qualifications in law. He is also an Associate Chaplain with
the Victoria Police.

Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said that Defence
needed to widen its recruitment pool and tap into a culturally
and linguistically diverse workforce.

"Increasing the breadth to include the Muslim faith also reflects
the Australian Defence Force's pastoral care responsibilities for
all its members and is entirely consistent with Defence's
commitment to cultural reform."

It's now been 2 years since the appointment and nothing
terrible has occurred as a result. The sky hasn't fallen.
We can only hope that this will continue to be the case.

Quote "The best Payne could come up with was that Saleem's views were his own, and not those of the ADF!"

This is an absolutely stupid and naive statement, I recall a number of occasions that people have been fired from jobs because of statements of their own they made but the companies still fired them.

As well people have been refused employment because of social media comments.

Should also be asking Payne exactly how many Muslim defence forces employees are there to justify his employement?

True to form. If it sounds sensational why not sensationalise it. Payne had nothing to say because the sensational event took place two years ago. And not yesterday as ttbn would like us to believe.
Why was not he consulted before this sensational appointment took place. I was wondering why such a sensational piece of information had not been seen on media. Apparently it was only printed in rabid right papers.

The wench from QLD is in the firing line again with comments about kids with autism and schools. That is more newsworthy than something two years old

Well, of course, Marissa Payne herself is "stupid" and "naive". Her appointment to the job indicates just how little the Turnbull government cares about defence.