I don't quite get why some people feel the need to sling off
at any particular group and tar everybody of that group
with the same brush. Not all Muslim people are extremists
or fundamentalists. The same as not all Catholic priests
sexually abuse children. And so on. We have no way of knowing
the circumstances under which these wives and mothers went
with their husbands to Syria. And we certainly can't blame
the children for the crimes of their parents.

In any case - it is a decision that will be made by our
government under the advice of our intelligence agencies.
And we all should accept that decision - whatever it may be.

However continuing to slur people - will not achieve
anything productive - and it needs to stop. It's not very
"Christian like" behaviour. At least not my version of
Christianity and the way I was raised.

"However continuing to slur people - will not achieve
anything productive - and it needs to stop. It's not very
"Christian like" behaviour. At least not my version of
Christianity and the way I was raised."

Hear hear. The issue is that Christianity has become regressive. Jesus would not approve of most of what happens in His name now.

these are human beings, the situation is complex and it would be idiotic to suggest a housewife who had children in the middle east is trying to come home to blow up Eastlands.

Australian citizens have obligations as well as privileges. Those leaving the country have broken those obligations, legally and morally, fighting for, or aiding in other ways, enemies of their country. Citizenship has been removed in the past, and it should be done again. Most Australians do not want these people back. Those who do really need to take a good look at themselves and their own fitness to call themselves Australian.

" Those who do really need to take a good look at themselves and their own fitness to call themselves Australian."

This, creating barriers around who belongs, is literally fascism.

Removing citizenship makes people stateless. It literally makes them refugees. Should we do that for young boys who went and fought? Perhaps, I am not sure. Should we do it for women talked into going so the boys could get laid? I don't think so

It was my birthday yesterday - and one of the gifts I
was given was the book by Miriam Margolyes,
"This Much Is True," which I've already started to
read.

Reading someone's life story - makes you realise -
how important the questions are that Miriam asks. Things
like : -
where did your own life go? There's still much that
most of us want to do. What have we learnt? Have we
done the best we could? Have we made a difference?
These are the questions that we should be asking
ourselves - instead of making judgements about
other people's complex lives.

Lets focus on our own lives and try to make sense,
to take stock - before we talk about who "belongs,"
and who doesn't. There's enough in this country for
us all to share - but to make things work - we need
politicians who care. Politicians who need to adopt
a new view which through bad and good times will
see us through.

Well, I'll stop preaching now. I'm very excited
about the opening of our new parliament today.
And despite all the pomp and ceremony that will
take place - I hope and trust that it will be
a parliament that will be able to work together
for the good of us all.

" I hope and trust that it will be
a parliament that will be able to work together
for the good of us all."

After nine years of hell, let's hope for some healing and a better future. One that doesn't seek to exclude or define who does not belong, but gives everyone a chance to take part