Burqa ban call divisive nonsense: Brumby

7 May 2010, 8:21 pm   -   Source: AAP
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A Liberal senator's call for a ban on body-covering burqas has sparked calls for budgie-smugglers to be outlawed.

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A Liberal senator's call for a ban on body-covering burqas has sparked calls for budgie-smugglers to be outlawed.
  
Outspoken Senator Cory Bernardi has called for the banning of the Islamic covering after an armed robbery in a Sydney car park on Wednesday by a man wearing a burqa and sunglasses.
  
The head-to-toe covering was emerging as the preferred disguise of bandits and "n'er do wells", the South Australian senator wrote on his blog, adding it also prevented Muslim women from interacting in normal day-to-day life.
  

Abbott has 'zero credibility'

Australian Greens spokeswoman on the status of women Sarah Hanson-Young said Liberal leader Tony Abbott and Mr Bernardi have zero credibility as advocates for women's rights.
  
"If people want to start banning items of apparel, perhaps we could start with budgie-smugglers?" Senator Hanson-Young told AAP.
  
"I personally find them quite offensive."
  
Mr Abbott is often filmed and photographed running around in his Speedo swimmers.
  
Mr Abbott and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Friday both agreed the Islamic burqa was a "confronting" and "challenging" form of clothing.
  
But neither Ms Gillard nor Mr Abbott said their parties proposed banning the garment worn by some Islamic women.
  
Mr Abbott defended Mr Bernardi's right to free speech.
  
"We believe in free speech in this country and people are entitled to a personal view - even politicians are entitled to a view ... we are not a Stalinist party" he told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
  
"I think a lot of Australians find the wearing of the burqa quite confronting and I wish it was not widely worn."
  
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took a swipe at Mr Abbott because Senator Bernardi was the opposition leader's parliamentary secretary.
  
"He (Bernardi) goes out there and says that's what he wants to do," he told the Seven Network on Friday.
  
"Mr Abbott then says it's not their policy ... they are walking both sides of the street."
  
He said no law enforcement agency had recommended to the government a ban on the burqa.

Ban 'divisive'

Victorian Premier John Brumby says said he would not support a ban on burqas and such a suggestion was divisive nonsense.
  
"For those who suggest that this will somehow make Australia safer, I think that's a nonsense," he told reporters in Ballarat.
  
"Anyone can put a balaclava on their head if they want to cover their face and commit a crime.
  
"I don't think it's helpful, I think it's actually quite divisive."

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Equales or Infidels

Zoe - from Kingswood, Adelaide, 2 years ago

Travelling through Parkistan and Iran as a young woman, I was physically harassed and touched by the men even though I was ahering to the the dress code. In the west this would be treated as sexual assault. I was denied service in shops because I was a woman. I had to cover up, I had no choice, however the muslims interviewed appeared to be demanding a freedom of dress code (and culture) in Australia that they would not extend to a visitor back home. A convenient usage of our freedoms !

Sarah Hanson-Young

ols - from nsw, 2 years ago

Sarah Hanson-Young epitomizes everthing that is wrong with the Greens. The most offensive thing of all is her stupidity and ignorance. She should be sent to live in Afghanistan amongst the Taliban for a few months.

Robbers/Bandits

melody - from nsw, 2 years ago

I don't think women with burqa will be pleased to be identified as robbers/bandits who wear mask when they want to commit crimes to hide their identities. Australia is a free country, anyone can wear anything they want includes religion costum. But please do not cover your face, for goodness sake!! How can women with burga integrated since they don't want people to recognise them.

We should be able to wear what we want!

Lina - from Queensland, 2 years ago

Firstly the burqa dosent represent oppression i know plenty of muslim men who dont want their wives wearing burqas but their wives choose to wear it. The burqa means a lot to some people its in a way their freedom, which would be hard for most australians to understand but that is how some women feel, I am a muslim women who wouldnt wear a burqa, however i think it is wrong for a country like australia, that prides itself on its diversity of religion and culture to ban a persons belief.

Brainwashed

Hassan - from victoria park, perth, 2 years ago

Reading some of the comments here leaves me wondering are some you in a normal state of mind really. Now how can you honestly infringe upon another human beings dignity to wear what ever they wish. why don't we also introduce a law saying you can no longer wear baseball caps huh. I think most of you sense of justice is blinded by hatred towards the religion of Islam which u huv no much knowledge about except the media's propaganda against it.

listen?!?!?

marny - from vic, 2 years ago

well, you all think that banning the burqa is a solution, but to what, you dnt understande the diversity of australia and the context. this country does not belong to anyone, its not christians or catholics or any other religion or culture. also, the country has a law, that the country cannot in anyway make a law either for or against a religion by limmiting/stopping their religion practice. neither does anyone else has the write to tell poeple what they should wear or eat. u wear wateva u want.

Burqa Ban

Dane - from NSW, 2 years ago

I support the call for the ban as it has nothing to do with our culture and as much as Australia is known for its diversity. We still have a culture of our own to and the Burqa is another way to control. In Australia we have the right to ban it just like in Muslim countries we have to cover up because it is their law.. no one is opposing them with those limitations? Further more, as the saying goes... When in Rome do as the Romans! When in another persons country you follow their laws and rules.

TRUTH BE TOLD

danny - from sydney, 2 years ago

i agree ban the burqa. this is a christian nation that has now let every other religoin walk all over our heritage. we are a free country because of our christian heritage.no person is without fault,but there is a difference between accepting people and accepting what they do. the problem with todays society& politicians is they have allowed others to corrupt our ways for the skae of extra $$$, im all for bringing people into the country but we should not sacrifice our morals & values for it.

Please hold your tongue.

Part of the public - from wherever, 2 years ago

I think banning the face veil and say it is an expression of inequality, and an oppressive attire for Muslim women is an insult to Australian values itself. This is a free country with democratic roots. It upholds the freedom of belief and actions, so to impose this on a minority of women is attacking their beliefs. I think they should wear what they want if they are comfortable with it. We shouldn't be narrow minded and interpret things so easily without educating ourselves first.

mr

peter jones - from perth, 2 years ago

I don't think we should pass a law banning the burqa.
If someone wants to wear it than so be it, it's a free country so let them exercise their freedom.
I understand there are some areas in society where wearing a burka would not be practical, or where you must show your face for security reasons.
So then they should conform to these rules, but outside that let them dress how they want.

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