http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/closer-watch-on-schools-mosques/2005/08/24/1124562924785.html
Intelligence agencies will monitor mosques, prayer halls and Islamic schools “to the extent necessary” as part of the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism policy, the Prime Minister said yesterday.
John Howard made the remarks as Muslim groups excluded from this week’s summit said they would hold the biggest gathering of Muslim leaders seen in NSW on September 11.
The summit hosted by Mr Howard in Canberra on Tuesday denounced terrorism and called for community harmony and continuing dialogue about how to vet and train imams and promote Australian values in schools.
But speaking on Perth radio, Mr Howard said the Government would be prepared to go further.Asked if authorities were prepared to “get inside” mosques, prayer halls and schools to keep tabs on activities, he replied: “Yes, to the extent necessary, yes.
“We have a right to know whether there is, within any section of the Islamic community, a preaching of the virtues of terrorism, whether any comfort or harbour is given to terrorism within that community.
“Now it’s very hard for a government or any of its agencies to penetrate every aspect of life and we don’t want to interfere with people’s enjoyment of life [but] if people are not willing to give their first loyalty to this country, then