An Australian Labor Party front bencher has brushed off abuse directed at him after he took the oath on the Koran.
Ed Husic on Monday became Australia's first Muslim frontbencher and Governor-General Quentin Bryce said it was a "great day for multiculturalism and everything it stands for".
But there have been comments on Mr Husic's Facebook page saying it was "disgusting" and "un-Australian" for him to use the Koran.
Mr Husic said people have the right to raise concerns about him taking the oath of office on the Koran.
He said this is a "natural part of democracy."
Mr Husic said he made a "straightforward decision" based on his faith. He didn't want to take the oath without a religious text and using the Koran only strengthened his commitment to the Commonwealth and its people.
"I couldn't obviously take my oath on a bible and I didn't want to affirm," he said in Sydney on Tuesday.
"I am who I am, I just made a straightforward decision."
Mr Husic, who is Australian-born, is the member for the seat of Chifley in western Sydney. He is parliamentary secretary to the prime minister.
