Tony Abbott has labelled radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir "un-Islamic" and "un-Australian" after a prominent member refused to condemn beheadings by Islamic State.
In a heated interview on the ABC on Wednesday, Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Wassim Doureihi sidestepped questions about IS tactics and refused to condemn murders and beheadings.
The prime minister said the group was careful to avoid advocating terrorism but often made excuses for terrorist organisations.
"Hizb ut-Tahrir is an organisation with an ideology which justifies terrorism and that's why I say it's un-Australian," he told Fairfax Radio on Thursday.
"It's also un-Islamic, because no respectable Muslim should have these views."
The government can't ban Hizb ut-Tahrir unless the group engages in terrorism, however new laws to be introduced into parliament by the end of the year would make it illegal to promote terrorism.
The comments come after Mr Abbott revealed plans to red-card "hate preachers" brought in from overseas to speak at events hosted by groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir.
"I say to the preachers of hate, if you think you're coming to Australia to spread your pernicious message, your divisive ideology think again," he said.
"It's one thing for Australians born and bred to be saying things that are objectionable but it's another thing for preachers of hate to be coming in from overseas."
Mr Doureihi accused Australian and other western governments of being complicit in the killings of millions of Muslims as a result of foreign policies.
He said western politicians were using IS as the "latest bogeyman".
Mr Abbott said he hoped Mr Doureihi, who is Australian, would "wake up to himself".
Hizb ut-Tahrir will hold a lecture titled The War to End a Blessed Revolution against United States-led combat in Syria in Sydney's Lakemba on Friday night.
Mr Abbott was asked by one female talkback caller why he had not condemned attacks on Muslim women amid the debate about the burqa.
The prime minister said he had long believed Australians should be entitled to wear what they like.
"Not everyone likes different forms of attire, I've been on the record there as well," he said.
"But in a free society what people wear is entirely up to them - always has been, as far as I'm concerned, always should be."
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