Australian Senate erupts in anger after far-right lawmaker arrives wearing burqa
A far-right Australian MP wore a burqa to Parliament on Monday, sparking outrage among fellow senators who accused her of racism.
Senator Pauline Hanson appeared wearing the burqa, a full face covering worn by some Muslim women, after being refused permission to introduce a bill that would ban them in public.
Lawmakers erupted in anger when Hanson entered the chamber, and Senate proceedings were suspended when she refused to remove the garment.
“This is a racist senator who has demonstrated blatant racism and Islamophobia,” said New South Wales Muslim state senator Mehreen Faruqi.
Another faith senator, Fatima Payman, from Western Australia, said it was “shameful”.
“She’s disrespecting Muslims, Muslim Australians, it’s absolutely unconstitutional,” Payman said.
It is the second time Hanson, who represents the state of Queensland, has worn a burqa in Parliament, having previously done so in 2017 when she called for a nationwide ban.
His coup comes amid growing support in Australia for anti-immigration policies and rhetoric, with his One Nation party doubling to win four seats in May’s election.
Hanson’s actions drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including opposition and government leaders.
“Whatever our own beliefs, the kind of disrespect you are currently engaging in is not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate,” said Penny Wong, the leader of Australia’s center-left Labor government in the Senate.
Hanson later said in a Facebook post that she wore the burqa to protest her bill not being introduced, “so every Australian knows what is at stake”.
“If they don’t want me to wear it, ban the burqa,” she said.
