Australian Senator Pauline Hanson Sparks Uproar After Wearing Burqa in Parliament to Demand National Ban

Australian far-right Senator Pauline Hanson triggered a political storm on Monday after entering the Senate chamber wearing a burqa to protest the rejection of her bill seeking a nationwide ban on full-face coverings. The dramatic act, widely criticised across party lines, led to heated exchanges and a temporary suspension of Parliament.

Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party, wore the burqa moments after being denied permission to introduce her public-face-covering prohibition bill. This marks the second time she has used the garment as a political prop—the first being in 2017, when she made a similar appeal to ban Islamic face coverings.

As she walked into the chamber fully covered, several senators reacted with immediate anger. Muslim senators Mehreen Faruqi and Fatima Payman condemned the move as openly racist and disrespectful toward Australia’s multicultural communities. Faruqi labelled the act “blatant racism,” while Payman called it “disgraceful.”

Leaders from both major parties also denounced the stunt. Penny Wong, leader of the Labor government in the Senate, said Hanson’s behaviour was “not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate” and moved a motion for her suspension when she repeatedly refused to remove the garment. Anne Ruston, representing the opposition coalition, echoed those concerns.

Amid growing tension, proceedings were halted after Hanson continued to defy requests to leave the chamber. The move underscored the divisiveness of Hanson’s long-standing political agenda, which includes strict anti-immigration policies and vocal opposition to Islamic practices in Australia.

Hanson defended her actions in a Facebook post hours later, arguing that her display was a protest against Parliament’s refusal to debate her bill. She claimed the burqa represents a security threat and a symbol of women’s oppression, adding that if Parliament does not want her wearing it, they should “ban the burqa.”

Her One Nation party, which has seen growing support among far-right voters, currently holds four Senate seats following gains in the May general election. This renewed push for a burqa ban comes as the party capitalises on rising anti-immigration rhetoric across parts of Australia.

The controversy has reignited national debate on religious freedom, women’s rights, security concerns, and the boundaries of political expression within Parliament. Critics argue that Hanson's actions risk deepening social divides, while her supporters view it as a bold stance for national security.