An Australian senator has sparked controversy by wearing a burka in parliament while advocating for a ban on the Muslim garment. Pauline Hanson, a member of the anti-immigration One Nation party from Queensland, sought to introduce legislation prohibiting full face coverings in public. This move is part of her long-standing campaign on the issue.
Hanson’s actions, including her refusal to remove the burka, led to a suspension of senate proceedings. Following her attempt to present the bill, she re-entered the chamber wearing the garment. Various senators criticized her actions, with one, Mehreen Faruqi, a Muslim senator from New South Wales, calling it “blatant racism.” Fatima Payman, an independent senator, described the stunt as “disgraceful.” Foreign Minister Penny Wong also condemned the act as “disrespectful,” stating that the parliament should represent individuals of all faiths and backgrounds decently.
Wong moved to suspend Hanson for her refusal to remove the burka and remarked that Hanson was “not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate.” In a response on Facebook, Hanson stated, “If they don’t want me wearing it – ban the burka.” This incident marks the second time she has worn a burka in parliament; she previously did so in 2017 while calling for a national ban on the garment.
Hanson’s history of controversial statements includes her 2016 maiden speech in the Senate, wherein she claimed that Australia was in danger of being “swamped by Muslims,” echoing similar comments made in 1996 regarding Asian immigration. The incident raises questions about the intersection of political protest and parliamentary decorum.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz94pdkzqvwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss