There are reports Prime Minister Tony Abbott is calling for the Speaker of the House of Representatives to drop a plan to require burqa-wearing visitors to sit in enclosed galleries at Parliament House.
Fairfax Media reports Mr Abbott will speak with Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry and ask them to reconsider the plan after a massive backlash.
Earlier today, the Federal Department of Parliamentary Services announced people with facial coverings will not be allowed to watch the House of Representatives or Senate chambers from the regular public galleries.
Instead, they will have to sit in the gallery above, which is enclosed by soundproof class and normally reserved for school children.
"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the chamber galleries without needing to be identifiable," the department stated.
The move comes after Ms Bishop and Mr Parry, who will make the final decision, sought advice from security agencies about screening policies in relation to garments that hide identity.
The Greens and the Opposition slammed the decision earlier, while Independent MP Andrew Wilkie slammed the decision as "religious apartheid".
"The decision by the government to isolate, in their own rooms, burqa-wearers observing the parliament has no security merit at all," Mr Wilkie said.
Debate about the burqa has heated up over the past week with several politician, including Liberals Cory Bernardi and George Christensen and Palmer United Party senator Jacqui Lambie calling for it to be banned from Parliament House.
DPS has also tightened security around passes for visitors to secure areas of parliament.
Security guards will require visitors to show photo ID and anyone with a face covering will have to take it off to allow their identity to be verified.
A full review of Parliament House pass policy is underway.
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