WEB DESK: A far-right Australian politician sparked controversy on Monday after wearing a burqa in the country’s parliament, an action widely criticized by other lawmakers as divisive and inflammatory.
Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-immigration One Nation party, attempted to present a Senate bill aimed at banning full face coverings in Australia—a policy she has long championed. When the Senate blocked her proposal, she returned wearing a black burqa and took her seat.
Her actions provoked widespread condemnation from fellow members of parliament. Larissa Waters, leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate, described the gesture as deeply disrespectful to religious communities, calling it “a middle finger to people of faith” and labeling it both “racist and unsafe.”
Similarly, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, serving as the government’s Senate leader, rebuked Hanson’s behavior as inappropriate and unbecoming. “We are given the great privilege of representing people from all backgrounds and faiths,” Wong said. “We must carry out this responsibility with decency.”
Refusing to remove the burqa, Hanson prompted a temporary suspension of Senate proceedings. The incident marked the second time she has used such displays in parliament; in 2017, she donned a full burqa to argue against its use, linking it to security concerns and terrorism.
Hanson has consistently argued that Islam is incompatible with Australian values. Her party has seen a rise in popularity recently, with polls indicating a record 18 percent support as the main conservative opposition party remains divided by internal disputes.
Meanwhile, concerns about growing Islamophobia in Australia remain a significant issue. A government envoy acknowledged in September that efforts to address this persistent problem have been inadequate.
