It was a moment that stopped Australian politics in its tracks. On Tuesday, Senator Pauline Hanson-leader of the far-right One Nation party-walked into the Senate wearing a full-face burqa, triggering a political storm. The stunt was her latest move in the long-running campaign to ban the burqa in public places, but this time, it would go much further than just words.
For decades, Hanson has been one of Australia’s most controversial political figures. Known for her outspoken, often inflammatory views on immigration and multiculturalism, she first made national headlines in the 1990s when she warned that Australia was being “swamped by Asians.” Since then, she has consistently raised eyebrows with her criticism of Islamic practices, particularly the burqa, which she has called a symbol of oppression and a threat to national security.
00:00It was a moment that stopped Australian politics in its tracks.
00:18On Tuesday, Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the far-right One Nation Party,
00:24walked into the Senate wearing a full-face burqa, triggering a political storm.
00:28The stunt was her latest move in the long-running campaign to ban the burqa in public places.
00:35But this time, it would go much further than just words.
00:39For decades, Hanson has been one of Australia's most controversial political figures.
00:44Known for her outspoken, often inflammatory views on immigration and multiculturalism,
00:50she first made national headlines in the 1990s when she warned that Australia was being swamped by Asians.
00:58Since then, she has consistently raised eyebrows with her criticism of Islamic practices,
01:04particularly the burqa, which she has called a symbol of oppression and a threat to national security.
01:12Hanson's latest stunt came after her attempt to introduce a bill banning burqas was blocked.
01:17Refusing to back down, she entered the Senate chamber draped in the very garment she had spent years condemning.
01:25Her arrival sparked immediate outrage.
01:28Senators, including Muslim members, demanded she remove the burqa, calling the act disrespectful and racist.
01:35President, a dress code might be a choice of the senators, but racism should not be the choice of the Senate.
01:43President, this is a racist senator displaying blatant racism and Islamophobia, President, and if someone, someone should pull her up on that.
01:54Senator Farruki.
01:56When Hanson refused, the Senate was suspended and she was barred from attending for the rest of the year.
02:03On social media, Hanson defended her actions as a protest against radical, non-religious practices, arguing it was a stand for women's rights and national security.
02:16But when pressed for specific examples of security threats posed by the burqa, she couldn't provide any.
02:22Can I suggest you call ASIO, she quipped, dodging the question.
02:28The political fallout was swift.
02:31Leaders from both major parties condemned her actions.
02:34Penny Wong, Labour's Senate leader, called it unworthy of a member of the Australian Senate.
02:40Whatever views we may have on policy is to be this disrespectful of the chamber and of people of faith.
02:48Whatever our own beliefs may be, whatever our own beliefs may be, the sort of disrespect that you are engaging in now is not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate.
03:00And it should not be allowed to stand.
03:03But Hanson's supporters rallied behind her, calling it a brave stand against Islamic extremism.
03:10This protest wasn't just about a burqa.
03:13It was a flashpoint in Australia's broader debates on identity, multiculturalism and security.
03:20Is this a legitimate fight for women's rights and national safety?
03:24Or is it a cynical move to stoke fear and division?
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