Australian Government to spend millions to fight spread of radical Islam

SYDNEY - The Australian Government will be earmarking millions of dollars to check the spread of radical Islam in the country. The measure comes as part of a Federal Budget package to boost national security.

The Federal Budget to be announced on Tuesday is especially significant as it comes in an election-year. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s Government is focusing on strengthening national security to appease Australian citizens.

There has been heightened concern over the security issue following a deluge of asylum-seekers who manage to enter the country unintercepted.

In view of these concerns, the Government will announce “preventative” measures to counter the growth of radical terrorist cells across Australia, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The Government will implement its programmes carefully in order to avoid demonizing the Muslim community and the new measures will tackle potential spread of extremism in the nation’s jails, the paper said.

The Budget is expected to outline a national scheme, with religious classes and better contact between inmates and their families. This could minimize interactions that could potentially lead to the formation of radical Muslim caucuses, it added. (ANI)