NSW Labor wants radicalisation inquiry

The NSW opposition is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into radicalisation in schools.

Students of Arthur Phillip High School depart from the grounds, Sydney

The NSW opposition is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into radicalisation in schools. (AAP)

The NSW opposition wants a parliamentary inquiry into radicalisation in schools, saying the Baird government is moving too slowly on the issue.

"It is urgent there is peace of mind for parents sending their children off to school and that this is being dealt with seriously, instead of a clumsy, reactive approach," deputy opposition leader Linda Burney said.

Ms Burney said the warning signs were there after two Sydney Boys High students were stopped at the airport in March, reportedly on the way to join Islamic State, and allegations a teenager was preaching extremist ideology at the same school.

"It would have been prudent for the department (of education) to have had something in place well before now," Ms Burney said.

Labor is calling on the government to urgently act on a recently-completed audit into prayer groups in public schools in the wake of last Friday's terrorist attack by 15-year-old schoolboy Farhad Khalil Mohammad Jabar.

The audit is currently being considered by the government.

"There is a range of programs that we are looking to implement both in the Muslim community, in our schools, and together in the broader community. There is a role for all of us to play," Premier Mike Baird said on Wednesday.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world