Australian parliament to create a separate 'burqa box' in parliament in name of security
New rules say that people with 'facial coverings' entering the House of Representatives and the Senate will be seated in enclosed galleries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Australian parliament has announced a set of security rules including one that means people wearing the Niqab, which covers part of the face, or the burqa, will need to sit in a closed part of the parliament behind glass when visiting.
The plans were revealed when Latika Bourke, an Australian political reporter, posted a copy of the email explaining the rules on Twitter. The controversial plan, being dubbed 'BurqaBox' has caused outrage on social media.
The email reads: “The Presiding Officers have indicated that their first priority is the safety of Parliament House, particularly its occupants… Persons with facial coverings entering the galleries of the House of Representatives and Senate will be seated in the enclosed galleries. This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable.”
It says the changes will be implemented with immediate effect. Meanwhile, the Australian Times has reported that a campaign to outright ban the burqa at Parliament House has been led by a Liberal senator, Cory Bernardi, and that the idea may have the support of the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Abbott has said that the burqa makes him “uncomfortable” and that he “wishes it was not worn in Australia”. At the same time, he has said, “it’s not the business of government to tell people what they should and shouldn’t wear,”according to the Australian Times.
There has been backlash on social media over the plans. On Twitter, the leader of the Australian Green Party said that the decision was “disgraceful”, while Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner and the Race Discrimination Commissioner both criticised the decision.
Other Twitter users said the move amounted to segregation and was demeaning to women. A radio presenter, using the Twitter name @tibutler, said: “Ashamed to read of #BurqaBox. Our government reintroducing segregation in the name of safety. I wonder how these women of faith feel.”