Pauline Hanson has reignited controversy in the Australian Senate after appearing in the chamber wearing a burqa, repeating a stunt widely condemned when she first attempted it in 2017.
The One Nation leader was ejected from the chamber on Monday after refusing to remove the garment, prompting a suspension of proceedings for more than an hour.
Hanson claimed her actions were intended to highlight what she described as national security concerns associated with the burqa. However, when pressed, she was unable to cite a single incident in which the garment had posed a security risk. Asked for evidence, she told reporters to “call Asio” and later admitted she could not provide any details.
The move drew immediate and fierce criticism from across the political spectrum. Nationals senator Matt Canavan said Hanson’s actions “debased” the parliament and ridiculed Muslim Australians. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe repeatedly interjected during the incident, demanding Hanson’s removal from the chamber. Fellow independent Fatima Payman, who wears a hijab, accused Hanson of “disrespecting a faith, disrespecting Muslim Australians”, adding: “This needs to be dealt with immediately before we proceed, it’s disgraceful.”
Greens leader Larissa Waters described the stunt as an “insult”, while Labor Senate leader Penny Wong said Hanson’s behaviour was “not worthy” of the parliament. Liberal Senate leader Anne Ruston added: “This is not the way you should be addressing this chamber.”
The Senate resumed after Hanson was removed, but discussions continued among senators about whether a formal censure motion should be brought against her.
Hanson had earlier sought leave to introduce a private senator’s bill to ban the burqa in Australia. After being denied, she left the chamber and returned wearing the black garment. The act mirrored her 2017 stunt, which prompted then attorney-general George Brandis to denounce her for mocking the Islamic community, calling it “an appalling thing to do”.
Speaking to the ABC, Canavan remarked: “Pauline Hanson needs some new material because … she recycled this from eight years ago. I don’t know if this is the right move for them because while this might attract the interest of a small fringe in our society, I don’t think middle Australia like the parliament being debased like this.”
Following her ejection, Hanson held a press conference in Parliament House alongside her One Nation colleagues. She argued that the burqa represented a national security issue, drawing comparisons with helmets and other head coverings that must be removed when entering banks or businesses. “We have so many issues in the country with national security,” she said.
Her remarks were swiftly challenged by Aftab Malik, the government’s special envoy for Islamophobia, who warned that Hanson’s actions risked deepening existing safety threats faced by Muslim women. “These Muslim women already face harassment, threats of rape, and violence, not because of what they have done, but because of what they wear,” he said. “Veiled Muslim women have long been easy targets for bigotry and intolerance against Muslims. A proposed burqa ban will further stigmatise them as outsiders and embolden harassment and abuse. All women should be free to choose what they wear or do not wear.”
Hanson later posted a photograph on Facebook of herself in the burqa, standing in her Parliament House office in front of a large portrait of her own face. In the accompanying statement, she declared: “If the parliament won’t ban it, I will display this oppressive, radical, non-religious head garb that risk our national security and the ill treatment of women on the floor of our parliament so that every Australian knows what’s at stake. If they don’t want me wearing it, ban the burqa.”
The incident has reignited debate over religious freedom, women’s rights, and the boundaries of parliamentary conduct. While Hanson insists her actions are motivated by security concerns, critics argue they amount to a deliberate provocation that undermines respect for both the Senate and Australia’s Muslim community.
