Kevin Andrews, the Federal Immigration Minister, has stood firm on this issue despite Australia's peak Muslim body calling it "disturbing and potentially divisive," reported the Herald Sun.
Mr. Andrews told The Herald Sun that the Judeo-Christian heritage was an indisputable historical fact and it was part of Australia's foundation. He said: "We are not asking people to subscribe to the Judeo-Christian ethic. We are simply stating a fact that this is part of the heritage of Australia in terms of its foundation."
The debate over Australia's immigration policy has recently flared up with Reverend Fred Nile, the leader of the NSW Christian Democratic Party (CD) calling for a moratorium on Muslim immigration as the impact of Islamic migration is being studied.
Reverend Dr. Gordon Moyes, the former head of Wesley Mission and also a member of the CDP voiced his concern about Reverend Nile's policy and instead said that to ban immigrants on the basis of religion or ethnicity is against "Our Christian and democratic principles."
He wrote that such a ban would bring Australia back to the White Australia policy and would encourage racists and red-necks to quickly swing into action. He further wrote that despite Australia being 'the greatest melting pot' in the Southern hemisphere, the nation still remains 'peaceful and cohesive.'