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The Australian Senate censured One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and suspended her for seven sitting days Thursday after she wore a burqa on the chamber floor to protest the blocking of her bill to ban the religious garment.
Hanson attempted to introduce legislation Wednesday that would prohibit burqas in public spaces, but the bill was immediately shut down before debate could proceed. Crossbench Senator Tammy Tyrrell and the Greens opposed the motion, preventing it from advancing under Senate procedure.
In response, Hanson entered the chamber wearing a burqa. Senate Leader Penny Wong moved to censure her shortly after.
“They didn’t want to ban the burqa, yet they denied me the right to wear it on the floor of Parliament,” Hanson told reporters following the vote. “To me, it’s been hypocritical.”
This marks the second time Hanson has worn a burqa in Parliament. In 2017, she entered the chamber wearing the garment to highlight security concerns, drawing condemnation from then-Attorney General George Brandis but no formal censure.
Hanson said she was given only five minutes to respond to the censure motion and that debate was limited to 30 minutes total. She dismissed the suspension’s significance and confirmed she will seek re-election in Queensland.
“Does it really worry me? No,” Hanson said. “I will let the people of Queensland judge me whether I have earned my place to be re-elected again or not. I will not let these people here judge me.”
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