Julia Banks (Chisholm, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hundreds of children at Pinewood Primary School in Chisholm, who reflect the diversity that make Chisholm the third most culturally diverse electorate in Australia, proudly sang our national anthem after the school leaders marched into the hall with our national flag. This defined the quintessential February day that takes places all over Australia at this time of year when leadership badges for the new school year are awarded. A small number of these young Australians nervously did not know that the custom and practice in this country when one accepts an award or the like is to shake hands. The principal, quite obviously a great leader and teacher herself, very graciously counselled the children and said, 'Now, stop, look Julia in the eye, shake her hand, say thank you, and then you can accept your badge.'

Recently, we have heard that a school in Sydney adopted an agreed protocol for its annual awards day permitting Muslim males to decline to shake hands with female presenters. Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on this earth, with a non-discriminatory migration policy based on the value of respect. This respect must be mutual. Regardless of the rationale for this so-called agreed protocol in this school, it does not respect our Australian values and customs with regard to gender equality. Migrants to this country, like all, must not only comply with the Australian rule of law but also respect our Australian values and customs. Discriminatory practices such as this should not be condoned by any school, educational body or community in Australia.