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Senator Wears Burqa in Senate — Outcry, Suspension and Renewed Debate on Full-Face Coverings

One Nation senator Pauline Hanson entered the Senate wearing a black burqa after being blocked from proposing a bill to ban full-face coverings, prompting colleagues to denounce the act as racist and disrespectful. The Senate was suspended when Hanson refused to remove the garment. Hanson defended her action as a protest and repeated claims linking face coverings to security risks and the mistreatment of women. The episode recalls a similar 2017 stunt and comes amid rising concern about anti-Muslim sentiment and growing support for her party.

09:08 PM, 11/24/2025Politics
Senator Wears Burqa in Senate — Outcry, Suspension and Renewed Debate on Full-Face Coverings

Sydney — One Nation senator Pauline Hanson entered the Australian Senate wearing a black burqa after being prevented from introducing a bill to ban full-face coverings nationwide. Minutes after being blocked from speaking, she returned to the chamber in the garment and sat down, prompting immediate condemnation from colleagues and the temporary suspension of the sitting.

Senate Greens leader Larissa Waters described the act as 'the middle finger to people of faith' and called it 'extremely racist and unsafe.' Foreign Minister and leader of government business in the Senate Penny Wong also condemned the move as disrespectful and urged members to uphold the dignity of the chamber.

All of us in this place have a great privilege in coming into this chamber. We represent people of every faith and background, and we should do so decently,

Hanson refused requests to remove the burqa, forcing the Senate to pause proceedings. The episode echoes a 2017 stunt in which Hanson similarly donned a full burqa in the Senate to highlight what she described as security concerns related to face-covering garments.

Later, Hanson posted a message on social media framing the action as a protest against the chamber’s rejection of her proposed ban. She described the burqa as 'oppressive' and argued the garment poses security risks and is linked to the mistreatment of women — claims she has made repeatedly.

Hanson has a history of inflammatory remarks about Islam, including past statements that she views the religion as incompatible with Australian culture and warnings that migration was changing the country. Her party’s profile has risen recently, with a recent poll showing increased support.

The incident comes amid broader concern about rising anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia. Critics say stunts that target a religious garment risk deepening discrimination and fear, while supporters of restrictions on face coverings cite security and social integration arguments. The episode is likely to revive debate about religious freedom, public safety and the role of provocative parliamentary tactics in shaping political discourse.

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