There is a growing chorus of people and groups calling on Malcolm Turnbull to recall and recycle the Radicalisation Awareness Kit that claims environmentalism is a pathway to violent extremism.
The Greens have called for it to be withdrawn from circulation immediately and consigned to the recycling bin.
Greens Leader Richard Di Natale said: “This booklet is so tainted by Tony Abbott’s politics of fear it should be shredded. Malcolm Turnbull has got to assert his leadership and declare Abbott’s culture wars are over.
“Australians who care about our incredible natural environment should be congratulated, not silenced, abandoned and demonised as they have been by this Liberal government.
“To imply that exercising a legitimate democratic right and calling for environmental protection is a gateway to violent extremism is breathtaking.
“Using the politics of fear to silence civil society is a dangerous abuse of power, and Mr Turnbull should put a stop to it.”
Greens Senator for Tasmania and spokesperson on schools Nick McKim said: “This booklet effectively asks teachers to demonise young people who might have a different world view to the government, which risks discouraging critical thinking and the democratic participation that schools should be trying to encourage.
“The idea that listening to alternative music can lead to violent extremism is laughable and clearly not grounded in reality.
“We call on state education ministers to refuse to circulate this material to government school teachers.”
National co-convener of the Socialist Alliance Susan Price told Green Left Weekly: “This booklet seeks to equate non-violent environmental protest with joining ISIS.
“It attacks radicalism. But many of the gains we have won as workers, women and students have been the result of radical protest. Australia has a rich radical history. This just shows how out of touch this government really is.”
National co-convener of Resistance: Young Socialist Alliance Mia Sanders told Green Left Weekly: “It is hard to take this kit seriously. If anything, it's the government's extremist agenda we should be worried about.
“This needs a radical response. Resistance: Young Socialist Alliance is proud to call itself radical. In fact, every year we hold a Radical Ideas Conference. This year, Radical Ideas will be in Sydney, December 4 to 6 and we welcome all radicals.”
[Click here to see the Radical Ideas Conference website.]
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