Multicultural Minister Anne Aly has criticized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for her recent burqa stunt in the Australian Senate, emphasizing the importance of “bodily autonomy” for women. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Hanson attempted to table a motion to ban the burqa, a traditional garment predominantly worn by Muslim women in Afghanistan. The motion was not granted, leading Hanson to enter the Senate chamber wearing a black burqa, sparking protests from fellow senators.
Speaking exclusively to SBS News, Aly expressed her disappointment, stating that Hanson “chose to disrespect” a small group of women. “It’s a very, very, very small minority of women who wear a burqa,” Aly said, highlighting the importance of choice for women regarding their attire. She added, “Women should be allowed and afforded the bodily autonomy to wear what she wants to wear, whether that’s a bikini or a burqa.”
Senate Erupts Over Hanson’s Actions
The Senate session turned chaotic as senators protested Hanson’s actions, recalling a similar incident in 2017. Senate President Slade Brockman allowed the vote to proceed, despite the uproar, stating that dress is a matter for individual senators’ conscience. However, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who is Muslim, accused Hanson of racism, asserting, “Dress code might be the choice of the senators but racism should not be the choice of the Senate.”
Senator Fatima Payman, also a Muslim, described Hanson’s behavior as “disgraceful” and “a shame,” emphasizing that it disrespected the Muslim community. Greens leader Larissa Waters urged Brockman to reconsider his ruling, calling Hanson’s actions “extremely racist and unsafe.”
Political Reactions and Consequences
The incident led to Senate President Sue Lines ordering Hanson to leave the chamber for being disrespectful, citing a previous ruling against using religious dress as a prop. Despite this, Hanson refused to comply, leading to further disruptions. Eventually, the Senate was suspended after a motion by Labor’s Penny Wong was agreed upon.
In a press conference following her ejection, Hanson defended her actions, stating, “What they’ve done is shut down the Australian people having the right to have their say. It is a national security issue, it is about women’s rights, and a lot of women are forced to wear this garb.”
Broader Implications and Historical Context
Hanson’s stunt has reignited debates on cultural attire and religious freedom in Australia. The move comes amid rising support for One Nation, with polling figures between 15 to 18 percent. Critics argue that Hanson’s actions exploit genuine grievances in the community for political gain.
Opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized the stunt, stating, “Her actions do not reflect the sort of Parliament Australians elected us to convene, nor the political system we should all be seeking to build.” Conservative Senator Matt Canavan also condemned the stunt as “inappropriate” and “disrespectful” to Muslim Australians, emphasizing that such actions weaken Hanson’s case.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Australian politics regarding multiculturalism and religious expression. As the Senate grapples with the fallout, the broader implications for political discourse and community relations remain to be seen.
