One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has vowed to ban the burqa from banks and government buildings if her party wins influence in the next Queensland state election, due to be held in 2018.
“We have some big plans and ideas, and you know what I’m going to do – we’re going to investigate it – ban the burqa in government buildings and banks and schools in Queensland," Senator Hanson said on Sky News.
“We’re going to lead the way in Queensland.”
“No drivers licences wearing the burqa or anything like that,” Senator Hanson said, despite that already being the rule.
.@PaulineHansonOz: One Nation will ban the burqa in all official buildings if it wins the Qld election. MORE https://t.co/TWMgzMITdL pic.twitter.com/9rvEtudDim — Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) January 16, 2017
In addition to the banning of the burqa, One Nation has called for a Royal Commission into Islam – which it says is a political ideology and not a religion – and a ban on new mosque construction.
In a tweet, following the interview, she wrote, 'Its seems people dont realise the burqa is not a religious right. Its an evil tool of oppression.'
One Nation, which plans to field more than 30 candidates in the Queensland state election, is polling at 16 per cent according to a recent Courier Mail report. Internal polling by the Labor and Liberal parties shows One Nation eating into their base, the report says.
HANSON'S PLANS GARNER MIXED RESPONSES ON TWITTER
Hanson's plans received support as well as severe criticism on Twitter. Jeremy wrote, "Telling women what they can and cannot wear is also a tool of oppression..."
Another user, Alex tweeted, "it seems you don't realise that your policy would "prohibit the free exercise of religion"...
While those in support of her plans said,
ASIO WARNS AGAINST SUCH A BAN
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has provided advice to the government that a burqa ban is likely to increase tensions and aid extremists.
"The security implications of any such ban are likely to be predominantly, if not wholly, negative," a 2011 report said.
