Pauline Hanson’s Burqa Stunt Repeat

CANBERRA, Australia — One Nation leader Pauline Hanson sparked immediate outrage and forced a temporary suspension of the Australian Senate today after she repeated a controversial stunt from 2017, appearing in the chamber wearing a burqa.

The move came just minutes after the government denied her leave to table a bill aimed at banning burqas and other full face coverings in Australia—a policy she has campaigned on for decades.

The sight of Senator Hanson in the head covering prompted fierce condemnation from across the political divide, all of whom accused her of debasing the Parliament and showing disrespect.

Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong said Hanson’s conduct was “not worthy” of the parliament and that senators should not be “disrespectful of the Senate.”

Coalition Senate Leader Anne Ruston called for respect for others, stating, “This is not the way you should be addressing this chamber.”

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the stunt “weakens her case,” “cheapens our parliament” and would prompt most Australians to “look away in disgust.”

Greens Senator Larissa Waters called the display an “insult.”

Independent WA Senator Fatima Payman (who wears a hijab and is of Muslim faith) led the condemnation from the crossbench, declaring Hanson was “disrespecting a faith, disrespecting Muslim Australians.” The uproar eventually led to the temporary suspension of the Senate session.

On social media, Senator Hanson remained defiant, arguing that her action was necessary because Parliament refused to ban the garment.

“If they don’t want me wearing it – ban the burqa,” Hanson wrote, claiming the covering is “oppressive, radical, non-religious head garb that risk our national security and the ill treatment of women.” She noted that the ban she seeks is already in place in countries across the world, including Islamic countries.