Burka Stunt Backfires: Pauline Hanson Suspended After Senate Disruption

On Monday, November 24, 2025, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson repeated a controversial political stunt. She entered the Australian Senate wearing a full burka, halting parliamentary proceedings. The action prompted immediate condemnation from across the political spectrum and led to her suspension for the day.

Hanson claimed she was highlighting a national security issue and the plight of women forced to wear the garment. She provided no evidence to support her claims when challenged by journalists. According to ABC News, the Senate was suspended for over an hour as a result.

Swift Parliamentary Condemnation and Suspension

The reaction inside the chamber was swift and severe. Senate President Sue Lines met with Hanson after the incident to convey the Senate’s disapproval. Labor’s Senate leader, Penny Wong, moved the successful motion to suspend Hanson for the remainder of the sitting day.

Wong stated the act showed profound disrespect unworthy of a senator. Independent senator Fatima Payman, a Muslim, said it disrespected her faith. Even Nationals senator Matt Canavan, while noting Hanson’s consistency, called the act “debased.” The suspension serves as a formal rebuke under parliamentary rules.

Community Leaders Warn of Real-World Harm

Beyond politics, community advocates expressed serious concern. The government’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, issued a strong warning. He said such stunts deepen safety risks for the small number of Australian Muslim women who choose to wear the burka.

Malik emphasized that all women should be free to choose their attire. He noted that conflating religious clothing with security threats fosters prejudice. This can lead to increased harassment and violence in the community.

A Repeated Political Tactic and Its Repercussions

This was not Hanson’s first such protest. She performed an identical stunt in 2017 when advocating for a burka ban. Her latest attempt to introduce a bill for a ban was denied by the Senate, which she called hypocritical.

The political motives appear intertwined with broader messaging. Hanson asserts she represents a silent majority concerned about national identity. However, the unified rejection from other parties suggests her tactics are isolating. The incident also sparked debate about the limits of acceptable protest within parliament.

The fallout from Pauline Hanson’s burka protest underscores a persistent tension in Australian public life. While intended as a provocative statement on security, the act was widely perceived as an attack on religious freedom and community cohesion. The parliamentary suspension signals that such demonstrations carry a real cost, both politically and socially.

Dropping this nugget your way

What did Pauline Hanson do in the Senate?

Pauline Hanson entered the Senate chamber wearing a burka during a division. This caused an immediate disruption, leading the Senate to suspend its proceedings and ultimately suspend Hanson for the rest of the day’s sitting.

Why was she suspended?

She was suspended for breaching parliamentary decorum and showing disrespect. A motion by Labor’s Penny Wong cited conduct unworthy of a senator, which received broad support from across the political aisle.

What was Hanson trying to achieve?

Hanson stated she was protesting national security and women’s rights. She claims the burka is a security risk and that women are forced to wear it, though she provided no evidence for these assertions when questioned.

How did other politicians react?

Politicians from all major parties condemned the act. Reactions ranged from calls of “racist” from the Greens to statements about disrespect from independents and caution from coalition members.

What is the community impact of such stunts?

Experts warn it increases risks for Muslim women. It can embolden harassment and stigmatize a small, visible minority, deepening social divisions rather than addressing any genuine policy concerns.

Has she done this before?

Yes. Pauline Hanson performed an almost identical stunt in the Senate in 2017. She has repeatedly attempted to introduce legislation to ban the burka in Australia, without success.