Sydney: Senator Pauline Hanson was expelled from the Australian Senate on Monday after entering the chamber wearing a burqa, reviving a stunt widely condemned eight years ago and prompting accusations that Parliament continues to be “soaked in racism.”
Hanson, leader of One Nation, claimed the act was part of a renewed push to outlaw the burqa on national security grounds. However, when questioned, she was unable to cite a single incident in which the garment had posed a verified security threat.
Australia’s special envoy for Islamophobia warned that Hanson's behaviour could worsen risks for Muslim women who wear the hijab or full-body coverings, saying such theatrics only fuel prejudice and harassment.
The chamber descended into chaos as Hanson refused to take off the burqa, forcing the Senate to suspend proceedings for over an hour. Senators from every political party condemned the act.
Nationals’ senator Matt Canavan said Hanson’s performance “degraded” the Parliament and mocked Muslim Australians. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe loudly protested, demanding Hanson’s immediate removal. Fatima Payman, a Muslim independent senator who wears a hijab, accused Hanson of “insulting a faith and disrespecting Muslim Australians.”
Greens leader Larissa Waters described the stunt as an “insult,” while Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong said Hanson's conduct was “unworthy of this Parliament.” Liberal Senate leader Anne Ruston added that the chamber should not be addressed in such a manner.
Behind closed doors, senators reportedly discussed whether Hanson should face an official censure motion.
Hanson revived the same tactic she deployed in 2017, which at the time drew sharp rebukes including from then–Attorney General George Brandis, who scolded her for “appalling” behaviour that mocked Muslim communities.
Coalition senator Canavan noted that Hanson was recycling old provocations: “Pauline Hanson needs new material,” he told ABC, adding that such antics might impress fringe groups but not “middle Australia.”
Shortly after her removal from the Senate, Hanson held an urgent press conference defending her proposed bill to ban the burqa. She compared the garment to helmets, which must be removed in banks, and framed it as a “national security issue.”
But when pressed for evidence of burqa-related security incidents, Hanson provided none.
“Maybe call ASIO,” she suggested, before acknowledging she could not answer the question.
Special envoy Aftab Malik condemned Hanson’s actions, saying they perpetuate a dangerous narrative that links Muslim women’s clothing choices to extremism.
“These women already endure threats, harassment, and violence, not because of what they do, but because of what they wear,” he said. A burqa ban, he warned, would further isolate Muslim women and empower abusers.
“All women should have the freedom to choose what they wear or don’t wear,” Malik emphasized.
Hanson posted a photo of herself in the black garment inside her Parliament House office, standing before a portrait of herself. She argued that if Parliament refused to ban the burqa, she would “put this oppressive, radical, non-religious costume on full display” so Australians could “see the risk.”
“If they don’t want me wearing it,” she wrote, “ban the burqa.”