20 October 2014

Controversial Parliament House burqa ban dumped

.... Senator Lambie labelled the backdown on the burqa ban a morale booster for Islamic extremists.

"The decision today to allow burqas and other forms of identity concealing items of dress to be worn in Australia's Parliament will put a smile on the face of the overseas Islamic extremists and their supporters in Australia," she said.

"Today's decision will prove how weak and indecisive we have become as a nation and how our PM lacks the courage of his convictions when it comes to Australia's national security."

Senator Bernardi welcomed the new identity checks but said he was disappointed the new measure didn't extend to a total burqa ban.

"I welcome the requirement to be visually identified," Senator Bernardi told Fairfax Media.

"But I think the decision against a blanket ban on identity concealing garments is more a sop to political correctness than anything else.' [The Sydney Morning Herald] Read more