Ms Hanson’s One Nation party has four seats in the Senate, having gained two in May’s general election amid rising support for far-Right anti-immigration policies.
In a 2022 report, the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism listed One Nation as one of 20 established and emerging hate groups in Australia, citing its “track record on anti-multiculturalism, white nationalism, and Covid-19 conspiracy theories”.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ms Hanson said her actions were a protest against the Senate rejecting her proposed bill.
“So if the Parliament won’t ban it, I will display this oppressive, radical, non-religious head garb that risks our national security and the ill-treatment of women on the floor of our parliament so that every Australian knows what’s at stake,” she said.
France banned full-face veils, such as the burka and niqab, in all public spaces in 2010, with the measure taking effect in April 2011. Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, has called for similar legislation.
In Britain, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, called the Islamic full-face veil “anti-British” and said there should be a national debate.
Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, has said the Conservatives would not ban the burka under her leadership, but added that bosses should have the right to ban staff from wearing burkas and other face coverings in the workplace. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has said he would not ban burkas.
