Quick Read
- Pauline Hanson wore a burka in the Senate, repeating a 2017 stunt.
- Her actions led to immediate suspension and condemnation from all major parties.
- Hanson claimed national security concerns but provided no supporting evidence.
- Muslim and non-Muslim senators called the act disrespectful and dangerous.
- Experts warn such stunts increase risks for Muslim women and foster division.
Pauline Hanson’s Burka Protest Shuts Down Senate
On November 24, 2025, Australian politics was shaken by a controversial act from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. During a division in the upper house, Hanson entered the Senate chamber wearing a burka, mirroring a stunt she famously performed in 2017. The immediate fallout was dramatic: the Senate was suspended, debate ground to a halt, and the focus shifted from legislative matters to Hanson’s divisive protest.
Hanson defended her actions by claiming she sought to highlight what she calls a “national security issue” and the plight of women allegedly forced to wear the burka. Speaking to the media, Hanson argued, “It is a national security issue, it is about women’s rights, and a lot of women are forced to wear this garb.” However, when pressed repeatedly by reporters and senators, Hanson failed to provide any concrete evidence linking burkas to national security threats. Her response: “Can I suggest you call Asio.” (ABC News, The Guardian)
Condemnation Across the Political Divide
The reaction from Hanson’s fellow parliamentarians was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi denounced the act as “racist,” while independent senator Fatima Payman, herself a Muslim and hijab-wearer, described it as “disrespecting the faith” of Muslim Australians. Labor Senate leader Penny Wong moved to suspend Hanson for the rest of the day, stating, “Whatever our own beliefs may be, the sort of disrespect you are engaging in now is not worthy of a member of the Australian Senate, and it should not be allowed to stand.”
Senate President Sue Lines confirmed that she and the chamber clerk met with Hanson after the incident, noting, “She understands that message from the Senate chamber.” The suspension lasted over an hour, and Hanson was barred from the remainder of the day’s sitting. According to Senate rules, repeat offenses could lead to longer suspensions, up to 14 days in a calendar year.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe loudly demanded Hanson’s ejection, while Liberal Senate leader Anne Ruston cautioned, “This is not the way you should be addressing this chamber.” Even Nationals senator Matt Canavan, who acknowledged Hanson’s consistency in politics, called the stunt “debased” and “ridiculing Muslim Australians.”
Social Impact: Muslim Community Voices Concerns
Beyond the parliamentary walls, Hanson’s stunt reverberated across Australia’s diverse communities. Aftab Malik, the government’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, issued a pointed statement warning that Hanson’s repeated calls to ban the burka would “deepen existing safety risks for Australian Muslim women who choose to wear the headscarf, the hijab, or the full face and body covering, the burqa.” Malik highlighted the reality that only an estimated 250 women in all of Australia wear the burka, yet they face disproportionate harassment and violence because of their attire. “All women should be free to choose what they wear or do not wear,” Malik insisted.
Many Muslim Australians saw Hanson’s protest as not only disrespectful but also potentially dangerous, as it could embolden harassment and further stigmatise an already vulnerable group. The proposal to ban the burka, which Hanson has tried to introduce as a private member’s bill, is viewed by critics as an attempt to politicise and police Muslim women’s choices under the guise of national security.
The Politics Behind the Stunt: Motives and Repercussions
Hanson’s attempt to introduce a bill to ban the burka was denied by the Senate, a decision she condemned as “hypocritical” and a suppression of free debate. “They’re a hypocritic bloody mob in there that have actually taken a stance without even debating it and putting it to the vote,” Hanson told reporters. She maintained that she represents a significant portion of Australians who support such a ban, but this assertion remains contentious.
The broader political context is also relevant. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who has hinted at a possible move to One Nation, defended Hanson’s right to make “any political statement they wish, as long as it’s not violent,” but refused to comment on whether the stunt was offensive. Meanwhile, Nationals senator Matt Canavan cautioned Joyce to “look before you leap,” highlighting Hanson’s difficulty in building stable teams and her reliance on provocative gestures.
Some senators discussed whether Hanson should face a formal censure motion for her actions, underscoring the seriousness with which parliament regarded the breach of decorum.
The Larger Narrative: Division, Debate, and Democratic Boundaries
Hanson’s burka protest is the latest chapter in a long-running debate over national identity, security, and multiculturalism in Australia. While she claims to speak for concerned Australians, the lack of evidence for her national security claims and the broad condemnation from across the political spectrum point to a disconnect between fringe political gestures and mainstream values.
Parliamentary procedures were tested by the incident. The Senate’s suspension, rare in its speed and unanimity, was a clear signal of collective disapproval. The rules governing such suspensions highlight the balance between free speech and maintaining respect within democratic institutions.
For many, the day’s events were more than political theatre—they exposed the tensions underlying contemporary Australia. The debate over the burka is not new, but Hanson’s decision to revive it through provocative action forced senators and the public alike to confront uncomfortable questions about the limits of protest, the responsibility of elected officials, and the ongoing struggle for social cohesion.
While Pauline Hanson’s stunt may have succeeded in drawing media attention, it failed to advance substantive debate on national security or women’s rights. The widespread condemnation and absence of supporting evidence for her claims reveal a political tactic that risks deepening divisions rather than resolving them. Australia’s challenge remains to protect both free expression and the dignity of all its communities—especially when those in power test the boundaries of respect and responsibility.