Pauline Hanson Australia: Australian senator accused of 'blatant racism' after wearing burka in attempt to ban the Muslim garment in public

She has been condemned after she wore a burka to parliament in her attempts to ban the Muslim garment in public. Ms Hanson was criticised by Muslim senators and other political leaders over Monday's stunt, being accused of "blatant racism".

The Australian senate erupted in anger as she walked into the chamber wearing the burka. Proceedings were suspended when the senator for Queensland, who has long campaigned against Islamic clothing during her parliamentary career, refused to remove it.

It was the second time she had worn the garment in parliament, having previously worn one in 2017. Ms Hanson later wrote on Facebook: "If they don't want me wearing it - ban the burka."

Mehreen Faruqi, a Greens senator from the state of New South Wales, said: "This is a racist senator, displaying blatant racism." Fatima Payman, an independent senator from the state of Western Australia, called the stunt "disgraceful".

Ms Hanson wore the garment shortly after she was denied permission to introduce a bill that would outlaw burkas and other full-face coverings in public places in Australia. The One Nation party leader said her actions were in protest at the Senate rejecting her proposed bill.

Speaking later on Sky News Australia, Ms Hanson denied she was mocking people who follow Islam. Ms Hanson said: "Let me make it quite clear. I have the utmost respect for people of what faith they may be."

She continued on X: “Today I wore a burqa into the Senate after One Nation's bill to ban the burqa and face coverings in public was blocked from even being introduced. The usual hypocrites had an absolute freak out.

“The fact is more than 20 countries around the world have banned the Burqa because they recognise it as a tool that oppresses women, poses a national security risk, encourages radical islam and threatens social cohesion. If these hypocrites don't want me to wear a burqa, they can always support my ban. Listen to my right of reply to what happened today, because I was blocked from saying anything in Parliament.”