Australia: Right-wing leader Pauline Hanson wears black burqa in senate stunt

The leader of Australia's right-wing One Nation party entered the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra wearing a black burqa, ahead of a motion on violent extremism her party would submit later in the day.

The burqa is a garment that covers the entire body with the exception of a semi-transparent cloth over the eyes. It is typically worn by Muslim women when in public.

Senator Pauline Hanson attended question time dressed in the burqa and asked the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Attorney-General George Brandis, whether the government would ban the garment on grounds of national security.

"In light of our national security of this nation, will [the government] work with me to actually ban the burqa in Australia considering there have been 13 foiled national threats against us with terrorism, three that have been successful that Australians have lost their lives?" Hanson asked, according to the Guardian Australia.

"Terrorism is a true threat to our country. Many Australians are in fear of it. What I would like to ask on behalf of the Australian people, considering there has been a large majority of Australians wish to see the banning of the burqa," she continued.

Brandis rejected Hanson's request and condemned her behaviour. "Senator Hanson, no, we will not be banning the burqa," he said, according to the Sidney Morning Herald.

"Senator Hanson, I'm not going to pretend to ignore the stunt that you have tried to pull today by arriving in the chamber dressed in burqa when we all know you are not an adherent to the Islamic faith."

Brandis also said Hanson's behaviour was offensive towards Muslims in Australia.

"I caution you and counsel you Senator Hanson, with respect, to be very, very careful of the offence you may give to the religious sensibilities of other Australians," he said.

"We have about half a million Australians in this country of the Islamic faith, and the vast majority of them are law abiding, good Australians, and Senator Hanson, it is absolutely consistent with being a good law abiding Australian and a strict, adherent, Muslim."

His speech was met with applause by Labor and Greens senators, while Coalition senators thumped their desks. Hanson left the senate chamber shortly after.

The right-wing leader stirred criticism last year after claiming Australia was in danger of "being swamped by Muslims".

Her party has proposed policies perceived as anti-Muslim, including bans on the burqa, on Muslim immigrants until the safety of Australia "can be ensured", on halal products, and the construction of more mosques in the country.

In 2014, Australia implemented a ban on the burqa and other garments covering people's face during parliament visits.

The regulation sparked outrage by the opposition and rights activists, with some claiming it would target Muslim women living in the country.

Following the outrage, then Prime Minister Tony Abbott publicly announced he was taking into consideration a U-turn on the legislation. The government eventually lifted the ban.