Pauline goes burqa
PAULINE Hanson has unashamedly shocked the nation by wearing a burqa in Parliament and doubling down on her call for a moratorium on Muslim immigration, in the One Nation leader’s most brazen and divisive offensive on Islam to date.
Senator Hanson’s office said its phone had been “ringing non- stop” last night in support of the “stunt” to wear the religious garb, which she dramatically ripped off in Question Time to make her point about terrorism security flaws.
So determined was One Nation to make their point that the burqa is a threat that they considered sending someone else incognito into the Senate to prove agencies never know who is under the full covering. It was later ruled out.
“It’s a bloody awful thing to get into. It’s so hot,” Senator Hanson said, before later giving a speech about why full face coverings needed to be banned in public.
Her divisive actions drew a sharp and emotional slapdown from Attorney- General George Brandis, who received a standing ovation from Labor and Greens Senators.
“Senator Hanson, I’m not going to pretend to ignore the stunt that you have tried to pull ... by arriving in the chamber dressed in a burqa when we all know you are not an adherent to the Islamic faith,’’ Senator Brandis said.
“I caution you and counsel you, Senator Hanson, with respect to be very, very careful of the offence you may give to the religious sensibilities of other Australians.
“We have about half a million Australians in this country of the Islamic faith and the vast majority of them are law abiding good Australians.
“It is vital for ... intelligence and law enforcement work ( to) work cooperatively Muslim community.
“To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do.”
Nick Xenophon labelled her actions “toxic”, Derryn Hinch lambasted her for making a mockery of Parliament but ac- with the cepted there were issues with wearing full head coverings in banks; and Jacqui Lambie said Senator Hanson could have worn a “balaclava” and made the same point.
“She’s not One Nation, she’s dividing a nation,’’ Senator Lambie said.