Abbott government backbencher George Christensen says it’s ‘outrageous’ his grocery dollars are going towards a ‘religious tax’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Consumers who buy halal products could be funding Islamist extremism, an Abbott government backbencher claims.

In an opinion article titled Terror in the Tucker Box, Nationals MP George Christensen questions whether shoppers who buy goods with the halal logo are funding a push for Sharia law – or even backing terrorists.

Christensen says there’s no way to know where the funds from halal-certified goods end up.

He said it was “outrageous” his grocery dollars were going towards a “religious tax” – listing halal-approved products such as Vegemite, Corn Flakes and Freddo frogs.

“Worse still, I don’t know whether my grocery spend is going to fund extremist versions of that religion or extremist religious activities that I would rather not see in Australia,” Christensen wrote on his website.

The Nationals deputy whip said it was “entirely feasible” to think some halal certifiers could be financing groups such as Hamas or the Muslim Brotherhood, citing cases in the US where such links were allegedly found.

“While it’s not terrorism, there is no doubt halal certification is funding organisations with extremist views and activities in Australia.

“It’s lovely to know a jar of the salty black stuff is sponsoring the advocacy of robbing women of all of their marital property rights.”

Controversy over halal certification has come to a boil over the past few weeks.

South Australian dairy producer Fleurieu Milk and Yoghurt Company was forced drop its halal certification after receiving threats on social media.