Fed: Jewish outrage at visit of 'anti-Semitic' rock singer

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2007
Fed: Jewish outrage at visit of 'anti-Semitic' rock singer

By David Crawshaw

CANBERRA, Dec 21 AAP - A Croatian rock star accused of anti-Semitism will be forced
to undergo tolerance counselling as a condition of entry to Australia.

A Jewish rights group today expressed anger over the federal government's decision
to allow Marko Perkovic into Australia.

Mr Perkovic, singer and songwriter with the Croatian rock band Thompson, has been criticised
for making strongly anti-Semitic remarks and for supporting the Ustashe regime, the fascist
Croatian movement accused of the slaughter of Jews and other ethnic minorities during
World War II.

Thompson is scheduled to play several shows across Australia during the Christmas-new
year period.

The B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission, a Jewish anti-racism body, attacked immigration
authorities' decision to grant Mr Perkovic a visa.

"It does not augur well that the new Labor government, as one of its first acts, permitted
the entry into Australia of a person who is a beacon for racists and neo-Nazi youth,"

the commission's chairman Michael Lipshutz said in a statement.

"Australia is renowned for its liberal and multicultural society.

"To allow someone of that ilk into this country when he has been banned from performing
in other countries is a retrograde step."

Thompson has been banned from performing in the Netherlands because of its fascist leanings.

Mr Lipshutz urged Immigration Minister Chris Evans to reconsider Mr Perkovic's visa.

The immigration department said Mr Perkovic would be required to have tolerance counselling
as a condition of his entry to Australia.

"The department can confirm that Marko Perkovic has been granted a visa," a spokesman told AAP.

"Mr Perkovic will be counselled regarding the multicultural nature of Australian society
and the need to avoid vilification or incitement of discord in the community."

Mr Perkovic's application for a visa had been assessed against all relevant legislation,
the department said.

AAP dcr/rl/jt/sp

KEYWORD: PERKOVIC

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.