My impression is that he was just addressing an issue that concerns many Australians.
It seemed quite sensible to me for Costello to draw a firm line in the sand for those few who might have more radical aspirations for Australian society.
And of course Costello has to build his own support base distinct from Howard. This seems like a good choice and one that will probably find broad-based support in all sections of the communities, most particular those in the mos lem community who have migrated here to escape some elements of that religion that they might feel they dont want to live with.
