‘Blatant Racism’: Furor in Australian Senate After Far-Right Senator’s Burka Stunt
Hanson appeared in the garment shortly after being denied permission to introduce legislation seeking a nationwide ban on burkas and similar attire. It marked the second time she has brought a burka into the chamber as a political prop.
Tension escalated immediately as she walked into the Senate, prompting uproar from members across the chamber. Proceedings were halted when Hanson declined to remove the garment, according to SBS News.
“This is a racist senator, displaying blatant racism,” said Mehreen Faruqi, a Greens senator from New South Wales.
She added, “Dress code might be the choice of the senators but racism should not be the choice of the Senate … Someone should pull her up on that.”
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Senator Fatima Payman also condemned the act, describing it as “disgraceful, it is a shame.”
She said, “She’s disrespecting a faith, she’s disrespecting the Muslims out there … it’s absolutely unconstitutional. This needs to be dealt with immediately before we proceed.”
Leaders from both major parties joined the criticism. Penny Wong, who heads the Labor government in the Senate, called Hanson’s conduct “not worthy of a member of the Australian senate” and moved a motion to suspend her for refusing to remove the covering.
After Hanson declined to comply, the sitting was adjourned. Anne Ruston, the opposition’s deputy Senate leader, also denounced the stunt.
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Hanson, a Queensland senator, has been known for her anti-immigration positions since rising to prominence in the 1990s and has repeatedly campaigned against Islamic clothing. She previously wore a burka in parliament in 2017 while advocating for a nationwide prohibition.
Her One Nation party currently holds four Senate seats, gaining two in May’s election amid increased support for far-right anti-immigration platforms.
Source: Agencies
