Fireworks at Senate halal certification inquiry
There is new pressure on the federal government to regulate halal products as a Senate inquiry hears officials demanded bribes for certification.
The controversial inquiry reached a flashpoint today.
South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi said there were questions about what happened to the money paid for certification.
“Anti-Muslim groups got involved in the thing and saw it as a platform to attack the Muslim community,” Abdul Ayam from AusHalal told Senator Bernardi.
“Aren’t you close to those groups?”
The Senator responded: “What you’re telling me is the Muslim community has decided to boycott this inquiry because … they don’t like some of the people we’re seeking to take evidence from, people who have a differing point of view from them.”
The inquiry aims to get to the bottom of halal certification and who benefits financially.
Senator Bernardi referred to a court affidavit from Ikebal Patel, the former president of Australia’s Federation of Islamic Councils.
He swore Indonesian Muslim Authorities “offered to secure halal certifying rights by paying a bribe.”
Senator Bernardi asked the new manager of the Islamic Federation to respond.
“There are things said and things done, it’s maybe true, maybe not true – if it’s done under oath who knows,” Wasim Raza said.
Despite the fireworks one point was never in dispute; that the halal certification system needs to be regulated. If that happened, following the money would become much easier.
The inquiry is due to report later this month.