Independent senator Fatima Payman, shown on the left, called Pauline Hanson’s stunt “disgraceful.” Reuters
An Australian senator faces a one-week suspension after she entered parliament wearing a burka to push for her long-time call to ban full face coverings. Pauline Hanson staged the act on Monday after other lawmakers blocked her attempt to introduce a bill on the issue.
Lawmakers condemn the stunt
Senators reacted with strong criticism. Mehreen Faruqi, a Muslim Greens senator, said, “This is a racist senator, displaying blatant racism.” Faruqi won a racial discrimination case against Hanson last year, though Hanson continues to appeal the ruling.
Fatima Payman, an independent senator, called the act “disgraceful.”
Hanson returned to the chamber in a full black burka shortly after her bill failed. She said she acted out of frustration with the senate’s decision. She also repeated her long-held argument that the country needs a national ban on the garment.
Senate issues formal censure
Foreign Minister Penny Wong introduced a motion to censure Hanson on Tuesday. Wong said Hanson “has been parading prejudice as protest for decades.” The senate voted 55 to five in favour of the motion. Lawmakers said Hanson aimed to mock Muslims and insult their faith. They also said her actions disrespected Muslim Australians.
Wong told the chamber that Hanson was “not worthy of a member of the Australian senate.”
Hanson responds on social media
Hanson reacted online and wrote, “If they don’t want me wearing it - ban the burka.”
She last wore the garment in parliament in 2017, also during a debate on face coverings. She faced criticism then as well.
History of controversial remarks
Hanson has a long record of comments about immigration and minority groups. In her 2016 maiden speech to the senate, she said the country risked being “swamped by Muslims.”
Her first speech in the House of Representatives in 1996 included a claim that the country was at risk of being “swamped by Asians.”
Wider debate continues
The latest incident renews the debate over religious clothing, diversity, and conduct in parliament. Supporters of the censure say Hanson crossed a line and used a religious garment as a political prop. Hanson says she took a stand against what she views as a security concern.
The controversy adds to ongoing national discussions about inclusion, respect, and the limits of political protest in public institutions.
