On the evening of 13 March, Senator Ralph Babet published a social media post calling for the deportation of Muslims from Australia on the basis of religion. The same statement was circulated across multiple platforms, including Facebook, X and Instagram. Calls to deport people solely because of their religion contradict the principles of religious freedom, equality before the law and mutual respect that underpin Australia’s democratic society.

Australia is a multicultural nation built on the idea that people of different backgrounds, cultures and faiths can live together in safety and dignity. Public calls to remove individuals from Australia on the basis of religion risks inflaming division and undermining the social cohesion that strengthens our communities.

The Australian Constitution reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to protecting freedom of religion and ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged because of their faith. While robust political debate is an essential part of democracy, advocating the deportation of people because of their religious identity is incompatible with the values of fairness and inclusion that Australians expect from their elected representatives.

As a member of the Australian Senate, Senator Babet holds a position of public trust. Statements advocating discrimination against Australians because of their religion risks damaging public confidence in Parliament as an institution that represents all Australians.

For these reasons, we call on members of the Senate to take action by supporting a motion that:

• condemns calls for the deportation of individuals on the basis of religion
• reaffirms Australia’s commitment to freedom of religion and equality before the law
• censures Ralph Babet for statements that undermine these principles and threaten the social cohesion of the Australian community

Australia’s strength lies in its diversity and its longstanding commitment to mutual respect between communities. When these values are challenged, it is important that Parliament clearly reaffirm them.

Sign this petition to call on members of the Senate to defend religious freedom, condemn discrimination based on religion and uphold the democratic values that unite Australians.