A major dispute broke out in Australia’s parliament after Senator Pauline Hanson was suspended for one week for wearing a black burka during a sitting. The act happened right after other lawmakers blocked her attempt to introduce a bill that would ban full face coverings in public. Hanson has been campaigning for this ban for years, and she wore the burka as a direct protest against the chamber’s decision.
The moment she walked into the room wearing the garment, reactions were instant. Several senators said the stunt was offensive and was meant to mock people who wear the burka as part of their religious practices. Hanson has worn the garment in parliament once before, back in 2017, to push the same message.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who is a Muslim woman, was one of the strongest critics. She said the stunt showed “blatant racism.” The Federal Court had previously ruled that she was a victim of racial discrimination because of comments made by Hanson, a ruling Hanson is currently appealing. Another Muslim lawmaker, Senator Fatima Payman, called the stunt “disgraceful” and said it was hurtful to many Muslim Australians.
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Senate Takes Formal Action After Heated Debate
The following day, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who leads the government in the Senate, moved a motion to censure Hanson. Wong said Hanson had been “parading prejudice as protest for decades” and argued that her behaviour was not worthy of a member of parliament. She stated that the latest stunt was intended to vilify people on the basis of their religion and described it as disrespectful to Muslim Australians.
The censure motion passed with 55 votes to five, showing the wide support for formally condemning Hanson’s actions. The motion also recorded that the act was meant to mock and insult Muslim Australians. Along with the censure, Hanson was suspended for a week, preventing her from taking part in parliamentary activities during that time.
During the debate, senators repeated concerns about the impact of such actions. Senator Faruqi and Senator Payman both said the stunt added unnecessary pressure to Muslim communities and sent a harmful message. Their statements highlighted how these gestures affect not only debates inside parliament but also the public outside it.
Lawmakers also noted that this was not a one-time issue. Hanson’s earlier statements in parliament have caused similar backlash. In 2016, during her maiden speech to the Senate, she said Australia was in danger of being “swamped by Muslims.” Many condemned the remark at the time. Back in 1996, during her first speech to the House of Representatives, she made a similar claim about the country being “swamped by Asians,” which sparked national headlines and widespread criticism.
A Long Political Pattern Returns to the Spotlight
Following the suspension, Hanson posted online, saying, “If they don’t want me wearing it — ban the burka.” She argued that her actions were a form of political protest. According to her, the stunt was meant to draw attention to what she believes is a serious issue. Hanson also repeated her call for a nationwide ban on full face coverings. This is a policy she has supported for many years through her One Nation party.
The latest stunt has once again placed Hanson at the centre of political debate. Her actions, along with the Senate’s strong response, have sparked nationwide discussions. People are talking about respect and religious freedom. Many are also questioning the standards expected from elected officials. The incident has also brought new attention to her long history of controversial statements. These statements have focused on immigration and multicultural communities in Australia.