Controversial Pauline Hanson prompted gasps and was accused of “ridiculing” the Muslim faith
A far-right Australian politician has prompted outrage by wearing a full burqa in the Senate.
Pauline Hanson, who is not a Muslim, prompted gasps as she walked into Parliament in Canberra in the traditional religious dress.
The controversial Senator, leader and founder of the One Nation Party, then called for the burqa to be banned in Australia.
Her colleagues dismissed the “appalling” stunt and accused her of disrespecting the half a million people in Australia who follow the Islamic faith.
As she attempted to link the burqa with national security, Labour colleagues shouted: “You’re the risk, you’re a disgrace!”
George Brandis, the Attorney General, became visibly upset as he urged Ms Hanson “to reflect” on her actions.
As the most senior law officer in the country, he said Australia’s security services have emphasised repeatedly the need for “cooperation” with the Muslim community.
He added: “And to ridicule that community, to drive it into a corner, to mock it’s religious garments is an appalling thing to do – and I would ask you to reflect on what you have done.”
He was given a standing ovation by the rest of the Senate as he sat down.
Another Senator Sam Dastyari added that Australian Muslims “do not deserve to be marginalised and ridiculed by a desperate leader from a desperate party.”
Ms Hanson founded Pauline Hanson’s One Nation two decades ago and has repeatedly been accused of racism during her career.
Her party wants to ban all Muslims from entering the country or serving in the Australian Parliament.
She also campaigns to ban the burqa and halal food.
In her maiden speech in the Senate she said: “We are in danger of being swamped by Muslims who bear a culture and ideology that is incompatible with our own” and called for banning Muslim migration.
Ms Hanson was branded racist in the 1990s for complaining Aboriginals were given more benefits than other Australians.
She wants to ban anyone but full Australian citizens from buying property freely in the country, with foreign citizens having to be approved by a ‘Review Board’.
Her party would seize the homes of any foreign students who do not sell up within a year of leaving the country.
And even genuine refugees would have their status “reviewed” every two years and would be sent back to their homeland if the right-wing government declared it safe.
