Australian Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the anti-Muslim minority party One Nation, has been suspended from Parliament for the rest of the year after wearing a burqa in the Senate as a protest against her colleagues' refusal to consider a bill that would ban the burqa and other facial coverings in public places. Hanson was accused of a provocative gesture and, in the absence of an apology, received a severe penalty, being banned from Senate meetings for seven consecutive days.
Hanson stated that she will be judged by voters in the next elections in 2028, emphasizing that there is no dress code in Parliament. The government leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, criticized Hanson's actions, stating that she mocked an entire faith, having a negative impact on Australian society. Muslim senators Mehreen Faruqi and Fatima Payman also condemned Hanson's behavior, considering it a manifestation of structural racism. Hanson is contesting a previous court decision that found she violated racial anti-discrimination law.
Hanson stated that she will be judged by voters in the next elections in 2028, emphasizing that there is no dress code in Parliament. The government leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, criticized Hanson's actions, stating that she mocked an entire faith, having a negative impact on Australian society. Muslim senators Mehreen Faruqi and Fatima Payman also condemned Hanson's behavior, considering it a manifestation of structural racism. Hanson is contesting a previous court decision that found she violated racial anti-discrimination law.
Sources
Australian senator is barred from Parliament for wearing burqa in protest
Afternoon Update: Hanson suspended for Senate burqa stunt; SMH editor resigns; and woman found alive in coffin
Pauline Hanson suspended from Senate over burqa stunt as Mehreen Faruqi says parliament 'drips in racism'
Latest News
12:18
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Russia's criticisms regarding Romania's takeover of the Giurgiulești Port.
12:18
ANALYSIS The shadow that will cross Europe: the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026
12:09
Over 219,000 cases of chikungunya in 2026, and France reports local transmission
12:03
The level of the Danube has started to rise: Hungary reconnects a turbine at the Paks power plant, which supplies half of the country's energy.
12:01
Spanish authorities have detained members of a gang of Romanians accused of human trafficking. They exploited workers, paying them only 20 euros per week.
See more news