Pauline Hanson has sparked widespread condemnation after wearing a burqa in the Senate, repeating a stunt widely criticised in 2017. The One Nation leader was ejected from the chamber on Monday after refusing to remove the garment, forcing a suspension of proceedings.
Nationals senator Matt Canavan said Hanson had 'debased' parliament, while independent senator Fatima Payman, who is Muslim and wears a hijab, accused her of 'disrespecting Muslim Australians'. Greens leader Larissa Waters called the stunt an 'insult', and Labor Senate leader Penny Wong said the conduct was 'not worthy' of parliament.
Hanson had sought to introduce a private senator's bill to ban the burqa on national security grounds, but was denied leave. She later claimed the ban was needed due to security risks, but could not name a single incident linked to the garment. The special envoy for Islamophobia warned the stunt could deepen safety risks for Muslim women.
The Senate resumed after more than an hour's suspension, with some senators discussing a possible formal censure motion against Hanson.
