Hanson’s Latest Burqa Stunt Denounced as ‘Shameless Attention-Seeking’ by Rivals

CANBERRA : The political fallout from Senator Pauline Hanson\’s decision to wear a burqa in the Senate chamber for the second time continues today, with rival politicians framing the move as a cynical attempt to grab attention and fuel division.

The One Nation leader staged the protest yesterday, donning the full face covering immediately after the government refused to grant her leave to table her long-standing bill to ban the attire in public places.

Greens leader Larissa Waters was fierce in her condemnation, arguing that Hanson\’s priority was misplaced while cost of living pressures dominate the country.

\”It\’s shameless attention seeking that doesn\’t actually help anyone or make anyone\’s lives better,\” Waters stated. \”Nearly 10 years on from Hanson\’s pathetic burqa stunt in the Senate, One Nation has flipped through its racist, Islamophobic policy generator once more.\”

Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth sought to minimize the severity of the incident, dismissing the action as \”shenanigans\” often witnessed during the final sitting week of parliament for the year.

Meanwhile, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek focused on the real-world harm, calling it \”disappointing behaviour\” that risks increasing racist bullying against Muslim schoolgirls.

Despite the widespread criticism—which has included Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, Independent Senator Fatima Payman, and Australia\’s Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik—Hanson remained defiant.

In a press release, she labeled her critics as \”hypocrites\”, claiming that members of the Greens were permitted to wear \”symbols of terrorism\” without censure (a claim she did not substantiate). She maintained that the issue was not one of religion but of \”community safety, national security, women\’s rights, public civility and social cohesion.\”