An Australian senator has provoked an angry backlash from lawmakers by wearing a burqa in Parliament as part of her campaign for a national ban on Islamic face coverings.
Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-Muslim, anti-immigration One Nation minor party, sat wearing the burqa for more than 10 minutes on Thursday before taking it off as she rose to explain that she wanted such outfits banned on national security grounds.
Attorney-General George Brandis drew applause when he said his government would not ban the burqa, and chastised Ms. Hanson for what he described as a “stunt” that offended Australia’s Muslim minority.
Senate President Stephen Parry said Ms. Hanson’s identity had been confirmed before she entered the chamber.
