Australian far-right politician Pauline Hanson ignited outrage and accusations of racism after donning a burqa in the Senate on Monday to protest her failed bid to ban the Islamic garment in public spaces. Hanson’s entrance in the traditional Muslim dress came shortly after the Senate refused to allow her to present a bill that would prohibit facial coverings, marking the second time since 2017 she has used the burqa as a political prop in Parliament.
Immediate Backlash in Parliament
The move provoked a storm of condemnation from fellow lawmakers. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the first Muslim woman in the upper house, called the act “overt racism and Islamophobia,” while independent Senator Fatima Payman described it as “disgraceful” and deeply disrespectful to Muslim Australians. Senate President Sue Lines ordered Hanson to leave for violating parliamentary rules against using religious attire as a prop. When Hanson refused, proceedings were suspended, and a motion was passed for her suspension.
Political and Community Repercussions
Labor government leader Penny Wong criticized Hanson’s tactics as “unworthy of a member of the Australian Senate,” and members of both major parties denounced her behavior as disrespectful and divisive. Community advocates stressed the harm such stunts inflict on Muslim Australians, who already face rising Islamophobia and discrimination.
Hanson defended her actions in a social media statement, insisting she wore the garment to protest what she views as its oppression of women and as a symbol of national security risk. She accused parliament of hypocrisy for rejecting her proposed ban, noting that more than 20 countries have regulated or banned the burqa.
Wider Political Context
This latest display underscores the polarizing role of Hanson’s One Nation party, which recently doubled its Senate seats amid internal turmoil in the primary conservative opposition. As Australia grapples with debates over religious freedom, security, and racial equality, Hanson’s actions have renewed calls for stronger anti-discrimination safeguards in Parliament and society at large.