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Anti-Islamic sentiment could affect Aust'n exports to Muslim nations: Deputy PM

Xinhua, February 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Australia's deputy Prime Minister on Friday warned politicians against publicly disparaging Islam, as an anti-Muslim sentiment could affect Australia's lucrative trade deals with nations such as Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Following revelations a potential candidate for the One Nation party in the state of Western Australia had publicly "tweeted" anti-Muslim statements, Australia's deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has warned politicians not to jeopardize trade deals worth billions of dollars by disparaging other religions.

Joyce told Guardian Australian that Islamic nations such as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia buy billions of dollars' worth of Australian goods annually, and seemingly small and careless statements could have a profound impact on the Australian economy.

"So just be a little bit cautious about what you say at times because I have to go to Indonesia, I have to go to Saudi Arabia, they are the biggest buyers of our wheat, they are the biggest buyers of our cattle," Joyce said on Friday.

Joyce's comments come after it was revealed the Liberal Party in Western Australia would break rank from the traditional Liberal National Party (LNP) coalition to preference One Nation ahead of the state election.

Joyce, National Party Leader, said: "I know so many Liberal Party supporters and they are equally furious about this." Endit