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By Daniel OrtonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAustralian Senator Pauline Hanson reignited controversy in parliament on Monday when the far-right populist lawmaker arrived on the Senate floor wearing a burka, a stunt intended to highlight her call for a nationwide ban on full-face coverings. Many senators immediately condemned the display, with cries of "shame on you" as Hanson entered the chamber.
"This is a racist senator, displaying blatant racism," said Mehreen Faruqi, Australia's first female Muslim senator.
"She is disrespecting a faith," said Australia's Voice Senator Fatima Payman, who wears a hijab.
"It is the middle finger to people of faith," added Greens leader Senator Larissa Waters.
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Hanson appeared in the garment after being refused permission to put forward legislation targeting burkas and similar coverings in public spaces. It was the second time she has worn the attire during a parliamentary session as part of her campaign to outlaw it. Her entrance prompted an outcry across the chamber, and Senate business was temporarily halted when she declined to take the head covering off.
In a post on X later, Hanson, who is leader of the One Nation party, said: "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."
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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