CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Senator Pauline Hanson Suspended After Wearing Burqa in Senate; Colleagues Call Protest 'Racist'

Senator Pauline Hanson was suspended for seven consecutive Senate sitting days after wearing a burqa into the chamber and refusing to remove it. Her action — intended to push for a ban on face coverings — prompted a 55–5 vote condemning the move as an attempt to vilify and mock Muslim Australians. Hanson denied the accusations, saying her protest defended Australian cultural values and opposed the oppression of women.

03:37 AM, 11/26/2025Politics
Senator Pauline Hanson Suspended After Wearing Burqa in Senate; Colleagues Call Protest 'Racist'

Senator Pauline Hanson of the One Nation party has been suspended from the Australian Senate for seven consecutive sitting days after wearing a burqa into the chamber on Monday and refusing to remove it. The demonstration, Hanson’s second such stunt in a decade, was meant to pressure colleagues to allow a bill that would ban burqas and other public face coverings.

After Hanson entered the chamber wearing the full-body garment and declined to remove it, Senate business was halted for the remainder of the day. On Tuesday, senators voted 55 to 5 to condemn the action as "intended to vilify and mock people on the basis of their religion" and "disrespectful to Muslim Australians." The motion led to the seven-day suspension, which — because of Parliament’s holiday recess — will stretch into February when the Senate reconvenes.

Reactions and remarks

The protest drew sharp criticism from several colleagues. Australian Greens leader Larissa Waters described the stunt as "a middle finger to people of faith," adding that "it is extremely racist and unsafe."

"It is extremely racist and unsafe." — Larissa Waters

Hanson rejected accusations that she was mocking Muslim Australians. Speaking to Sky News Australia, she said the protest was about cultural values and concern for women's rights: "At the end of the day this is Australia. It is not the Australian cultural way of life. I just want equality for all Australians and I don't want to see the suppression or oppression of women in this country," she said.

Background

This is not the first time Hanson has used the burqa in a parliamentary protest. She previously wore the garment into Parliament in 2017 but was not sanctioned then. At that time she argued the burqa raised security concerns and linked it to terrorism — a claim that remains controversial and was not endorsed by her colleagues.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Australian politics over immigration, multiculturalism and religious freedom. Supporters of bans on face coverings cite security and integration concerns, while critics warn such measures stigmatize Muslim communities and may breach religious freedoms.

Similar Articles

Trending