Backlash over burqa ‘stunt’ in parliament

An Australian senator provoked an angry backlash from politicians by wearing a burqa in parliament yesterday as part of her campaign for a national ban on Islamic face covers.

Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-muslim, antiimmigration One Nation minor party, sat wearing the black head-to-ankle garment for more than ten minutes before taking it off as she rose to explain that she wanted such outfits banned on national security grounds.

“There has been a large majority of Australians (who) wish to see the banning of the burka,” said Ms Hanson. Attorney-general George Brandis drew applause when he said his government would not ban the burqa, and chastised Hanson for what he described as a “stunt” that offended Australia’s Muslim minority. “To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do and I would ask you to reflect on what you have done,” Mr Brandis said.