Uproar as anti-migrant MP wears burka to Parliament in Australia
AUSTRALIAN senator Pauline Hanson caused outrage in Parliament when she wore a burka as part of her campaign to ban the Islamic dress - with a furious response from George Brandis receiving a standing ovation.
Pauline Hanson wears a burka in Australian Parliament
Pauline Hanson, an anti-immigration campaigner, shocked the Senate chamber as she entered in the black Islamic body covering.
Ms Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, said as she removed the covering: “This is not what should belong in this parliament.”
She then called on to the attorney-general to consider banning the full-faced veil in Australia.
Addressing George Brandis, Ms Hanson added: “In light of the national security of this nation will you work to ban the burka in Australia?”
Pauline Hanson wears burka in Australian senate
In light of the national security of this nation will you work to ban the burka in Australia?
Mr Brandis instantly shot down the suggestion, before giving a speech which was met with a rare standing ovation from other MPs.
He said: “To ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock its religious garments is an appalling thing to do.
“I am not going to pretend to ignore the stunt that you have tried to pull today by arriving in the chamber dressed in a burka when we all know that you are not an adherent of the Islamic faith.
“I would caution and counsel you with respect to be very, very careful of the offence you may do to the religious sensibilities of other Australians.”
Her stunt was condemned by the chamber
Mr Brandis was praised for “showing leadership… that is so often lacking in this parliament” by the Greens leader, Richard Di Natale.
Labor MP Sam Dastyari condemned Ms Hanson’s stunt, declaring it a “disgrace” and the Senate had descended into a “circus”.
He tweeted: “George Brandis was just brilliant in the chamber. Just brilliant. Strongest I have ever heard him.”
In the wake of her stunt receiving criticism, Ms Hanson released a statement insisting “this was a debate that was happening across the world and Australia could not hide from a difficult conversation out of fear of causing offence”.
Pauline Hanson rants over introduction of squat toilets in government buildings
Ms Hanson later claimed she had long considered wearing a burka into the chamber, saying it was “really horrible” and “uncomfortable”.
She added: “I just felt cut off from the rest of the world.”
Ms Hanson has been a controversial member of the Australian Senate ever since her election in 1996.
In her first term, she warned Australia was in danger of being “swamped by Asians”, but has now moved her focus onto the country’s Muslims.