Most were from "the poorer and uneducated Lebanese Muslim population", the document says. Michael Kheiralla, chairman of the Victorian Lebanese Community. Credit:Wayne Taylor "Consequently, this led to the transportation to Australia of a Sunni community which included elements who already held extremist beliefs or who were more highly receptive to extremist messages," it says. There have been instances of extremist violence within this community although their activities more commonly relate to "the provision of ideological or political support and/or fundraising". The Lebanese Muslim Association expressed its "utmost disappointment" with the document, condemning the suggestion the Lebanese community is more prone to extremism.

"This language betrays a deep misunderstanding of the Muslim community and the process of radicalisation," the group said in a statement. Lebanese Muslim Association president Samier Dandan is disappointed by a leaked government document that singles out his community. "These assumptions are dangerous and divisive, and largely undermine the effort to maintain and establish social cohesion. Painting one community this way only further isolates and vilifies the Muslim community." The association's president Samier Dandan said the Lebanese community made a valuable contribution to Australian society and the document would only exacerbate community tensions. Michael Kheirallah, chairperson of the Victorian Lebanese Community Council, said he was shocked the government had singled out one religious group.

"I think 99 per cent of Sunnis are integrated … and the majority reject extremism and terrorism," Dr Kheirallah said. Painting one community this way only further isolates and vilifies the Muslim community. Lebanese Muslim Association The Lebanese community was no different to any other migrant group and while there was a small number of people who did not integrate, the vast majority had settled well, he said. "I don't know where they get this information from, that some are good, some are bad in the Lebanese community," he said. "These comments will just make the Lebanese community feel more marginalised. This is not going to help with integration. It will make some people feel uncomfortable."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton say they have not see the document, which is marked "Sensitive: Cabinet". Labor has described the document as "borderline racist". The document suggests new arrivals under the humanitarian program could face much greater scrutiny and be denied direct access to permanent residency under a swathe of radical reforms. It says settlement services at the time when the majority of Lebanese muslims were arriving were of an "informal nature". The lessons learned from the Lebanese experience had informed and improved settlement services. Adam Gartrell and Beau Donelly