Pauline Hanson Sparks Outrage with Burqa Stunt in Senate
Australian senator Pauline Hanson has once again sparked a storm of controversy after stepping into the Senate chamber wearing a burqa, in a bid to push for a ban on the Muslim garment in public spaces. The stunt, which was widely condemned as offensive and racist, immediately provoked anger among fellow senators and political leaders across the spectrum.
The incident unfolded on Monday at Parliament House in Canberra, where Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, entered the chamber wearing the full black covering. Proceedings were quickly suspended after she refused to remove it, defying parliamentary rules. This marked the second time Hanson had performed such a stunt, having first worn a burqa in parliament in 2017.
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Hanson’s actions followed her unsuccessful attempt to introduce a private senator’s bill aimed at banning burqas and other full-face coverings in Australia. Speaking on social media, she argued that if the parliament would not ban the garment, she would personally draw attention to what she described as “oppressive, radical, non-religious head garb” that, according to her, posed risks to national security and the treatment of women. She posted a photo on Facebook of herself wearing the burqa in her office, standing in front of a large painting of her own face, and added, “If they don’t want me wearing it – ban the burqa.”
The stunt drew immediate condemnation from multiple senators. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi called Hanson’s actions “blatant racism,” while independent Fatima Payman described the display as “disgraceful” and a sign of disrespect toward Muslim Australians. Other senators, including Penny Wong, leader of the Labor government in the Senate, and Anne Ruston, deputy Senate leader for the opposition coalition, criticized Hanson for ridiculing the institution of parliament and degrading its decorum. Nationals senator Matt Canavan said Hanson’s actions “debased” the chamber, while independent Lidia Thorpe called for her ejection.
The special envoy for Islamophobia also spoke out, warning that linking Muslim women’s clothing to national security could deepen risks of harassment and violence against them. Aftab Malik highlighted that Muslim women already face threats simply for choosing to wear the hijab or burqa, and a proposed ban could further stigmatize them.
Despite the backlash, Hanson maintained that she was not mocking Islam and insisted that she had “the utmost respect for people of whatever faith they may be.” Nonetheless, the stunt reignited debates around religious freedom, national security, and political decorum in Australia, and discussions were underway among senators regarding whether a formal censure motion against her would be appropriate.
This latest episode demonstrates how Hanson continues to court controversy with highly visible political stunts, drawing sharp criticism from colleagues and observers alike, and reinforcing her polarizing position in Australian politics.
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