Australian Senator Faces Backlash for Controversial Burka Stunt in Parliament
Controversy has erupted in the Australian Senate following a provocative act by Senator Pauline Hanson. Shortly after her proposal for a bill was blocked by her peers, she appeared in the chamber wearing a black burka—a move many deemed inappropriate and racist.
Responses to the Burka Stunt
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, representing the Greens from New South Wales, openly criticized Hanson. She labeled the senator’s actions as “blatant racism.” Independent Senator Fatima Payman from Western Australia echoed these sentiments, referring to the stunt as “disgraceful.”
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Penny Wong voiced strong disapproval during a Senate session. She stated that all states represent people of diverse backgrounds and called Hanson’s act “disrespectful.” Wong expressed her belief that Hanson’s behavior is not fitting for a member of the Australian Senate. She subsequently moved to suspend Hanson for failing to comply with senate decorum by not removing the burka.
Background on Senator Hanson
This is not the first time Senator Hanson has donned a burka in parliament. She previously wore one in 2017 while advocating for a national ban on the garment. This act followed a history of contentious speeches. In her maiden address to the Senate in 2016, she warned of Australia being “swamped by Muslims,” mirroring her infamous 1996 statement about being “swamped by Asians.”
Key Reactions
- Mehreen Faruqi: Called Hanson a “racist senator.”
- Fatima Payman: Described the stunt as “disgraceful.”
- Penny Wong: Condemned the action as “disrespectful” and moved to suspend Hanson.
Senator Hanson’s actions have reignited discussions about inclusivity and respect in Australian politics, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue over divisive rhetoric.
