Burqa controversy in Parliament: Pauline Hanson suspended after dramatic protest

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson wears a burqa in the Senate chamber (AAP) Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

The Australian Senate was thrown into turmoil after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson entered the chamber wearing a black burqa, shortly after her motion to ban burqa and other face coverings in public was rejected. The act was widely condemned by senators as racist, disrespectful, and Islamophobic. Intense debate followed, prompting Senate president Sue Lines to order Hanson to leave. A motion led by Foreign Minister Penny Wong resulted in Hanson’s suspension from the Senate. The incident has reignited national discussions around religious respect, racism, and political stunts in parliament.

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