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Australian Senator Sparks Outrage After Wearing Burka in Parliament Protest
Senator Pauline Hanson ignited fierce criticism in Australia's parliament on Monday after donning a burka during a session, a move she framed as protest against the rejection of her proposed ban on full-face coverings in public. The stunt-her second such display in the chamber-prompted fellow lawmakers to condemn her actions as racist and disrespectful, temporarily halting proceedings.
Senate Rejects Controversial Bill
The Queensland senator, a member of the anti-immigration One Nation party, had attempted to introduce legislation banning burkas and other full-face garments. When the senate blocked the bill, Hanson returned to the chamber wearing a black burka, defiantly refusing requests to remove it. In a Facebook post following the incident, she wrote, "If they don't want me wearing it-ban the burka."
Hanson has long advocated for the prohibition of full-face coverings, first wearing a burka in parliament in 2017 while pushing for a similar national ban. Her latest act reignited debates over religious freedom, immigration, and the boundaries of political protest.
Widespread Condemnation from Colleagues
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, a Muslim member of the Greens from New South Wales, accused Hanson of "blatant racism," calling her actions an affront to Australia's multicultural fabric. "This is a racist senator," Faruqi stated during the session. Independent Senator Fatima Payman, representing Western Australia, labeled the stunt "disgraceful," while Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the government's leader in the senate, condemned it as "disrespectful" and unworthy of a senator's conduct.
"We represent in our states people of every faith, of all backgrounds. And we should do so decently."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Wong moved to suspend Hanson for her refusal to remove the garment, though the motion's outcome was not immediately clear. The incident disrupted parliamentary proceedings, with senators from multiple parties voicing their disapproval.
History of Controversial Statements
Hanson's latest provocation echoes her long record of inflammatory remarks on immigration and multiculturalism. In her 2016 maiden speech to the senate, she warned Australia risked being "swamped by Muslims," a phrase mirroring her infamous 1996 claim that the country was in danger of being "swamped by Asians." Critics argue her repeated use of such rhetoric fuels division and undermines social cohesion.
Broader Implications
The incident has reignited national conversations about religious expression, free speech, and the role of politicians in shaping public discourse. While Hanson's supporters praise her as a fearless advocate for national identity, opponents argue her tactics risk normalizing Islamophobia and eroding trust in democratic institutions.
As of Monday evening, no further action had been taken against Hanson, though calls for formal censure continued to circulate among opposition lawmakers. The senate is expected to resume normal proceedings on Tuesday.
