in which women were to wear beach clothing and march on Lakemba Mosque and the Islamic Information and Support Centre in Brunswick, Melbourne, to voice their "disgust" at Hilaly's comments. Ultimately, organisers claimed that public reports critical of the demonstration and personal attacks caused them to abandon the event. January 2007 television comments On 8 January 2007, Hilaly appeared on an Egyptian television program. He made a number of comments that sparked criticism in Australia, including the following: British and Irish settlers arrived in Australia as convicts. Muslims paid for their own tickets, and so have more right to Australia Prison sentences handed down to Lebanese Australian Muslims for the Sydney gang rapes were excessive and influenced by the 11 September 2001 attacks in the U.S. Western people, especially the English race, are the biggest liars and oppressors. Hilaly also condemned the level of rights awarded to homosexuals in Australia, stating "We have Christian churches which allow people of the same gender to marry" and "I understand the mentality of the West and especially the Australian mentality and I understand that the Australian law guarantees freedoms to the point of insanity." Proposed political movement Following his comments on social and legal issues and in the lead-up to the 2007 Federal election, Hilaly proposed to form a political party to represent Islamic interests in the national Parliament. The party was to have been supported by the political committee of Muslim community elders, also created by Hilaly. The suggested motto was: "With you, from and for you". A party manifesto had originally been drafted in 2001 but the idea was abandoned in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks. Hilaly indicated he would register the party with several thousand members by late 2007. The proposed new party was immediately criticised. Opposition leader Kevin Rudd was quoted as saying "Australians will never vote for a man who denigrates women, defends gang rapists and makes statements when he is in the Middle East denouncing Australia and Australians." Prime Minister John Howard commented "It would be unwise because it would heighten the belief of some in the community that islamic Australians are opposed to integration." The concept of the Party was abandoned once again in June 2007 when Hilaly retired from his role as Mufti. Cleared of alleged links to Hezbollah Allegations surfaced that Hilaly was diverting relief funds intended for the victims of