Minister Backs Free Speech On Cocos Islands

Perth, Australia - Home Affairs Minister Brendan O`Connor says the people of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands should be allowed to speak their native language in the workplace, contrary to a ban and penalty system imposed by the shire of the tiny Australian outpost.

Mr O`Connor said he understood the desire to encourage English, and the Cocos Malay population was aware of the importance of English for their economic future, but he urged “a commonsense approach”.

“If they`re talking to colleagues and they`re talking in Cocos Malay I can`t see why it`s a problem,” Mr O`Connor said.

“Equally, if the person they`re speaking to doesn`t speak Cocos Malay it would be courteous to speak English to them. For the running of the (shire) office I just think you need to apply common sense here, not to prevent or prescribe language use.”

Mr O`Connor flew to the Indian Ocean territory, 2700km northwest of Perth, for separate meetings with the Cocos Malay community and the shire on Monday following a breakdown in relations.

Tensions flared last month over what Cocos Malay leaders described as a lack of respect for their culture and people, who make up about 450 of the islands` 550 residents.

The islands` Muslim leaders were incensed when their community placard was vandalised to read: “We support PORK”.

Claims of underpayment by the shire and the local co-operative formed part of the workers` complaints, but they also railed against a directive from the shire that its 23 Cocos Malay workers must not speak their first language at work.

Unemployment among Cocos Malays is as high as 65 per cent. Paige Taylor

Source: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
Photo: http://members.virtualtourist.com

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