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Tony Abbott’s burqa comments divisive and harmful, says Labor Tony Abbott’s burqa comments divisive and harmful, says Labor
(about 4 hours later)
Tony Abbott’s comments that he finds the burqa “confronting” are divisive and harmful, and should not be coming from a prime minister, Labor opposition members have said.Tony Abbott’s comments that he finds the burqa “confronting” are divisive and harmful, and should not be coming from a prime minister, Labor opposition members have said.
Asked about potential moves to ban the garment in parliament house on Wednesday, Abbott replied that it was not the business of government to tell people what they should or shouldn’t wear, however “I’ve said before, I find it a fairly confronting form of attire and frankly I wish it weren’t worn.”Asked about potential moves to ban the garment in parliament house on Wednesday, Abbott replied that it was not the business of government to tell people what they should or shouldn’t wear, however “I’ve said before, I find it a fairly confronting form of attire and frankly I wish it weren’t worn.”
Abbott would not be drawn on his comments when questioned further on Thursday morning, telling media in Melbourne “it’s hardly the most important issue facing our country right now”.Abbott would not be drawn on his comments when questioned further on Thursday morning, telling media in Melbourne “it’s hardly the most important issue facing our country right now”.
However the earlier statements were backed up by social services minister Kevin Andrews who said he found the burqa “rather medieval” and demeaning to women, but didn’t think it should be banned.However the earlier statements were backed up by social services minister Kevin Andrews who said he found the burqa “rather medieval” and demeaning to women, but didn’t think it should be banned.
Asked how his comments were helpful to the government’s professed desire to reach out to the Islamic community to ensure they were partners in the fight against terrorism, Andrews said: “Many people in the Islamic community don’t wear the burqa. There are some who choose to do it, but I was asked what my view about it was and that’s what I’ve said.”Asked how his comments were helpful to the government’s professed desire to reach out to the Islamic community to ensure they were partners in the fight against terrorism, Andrews said: “Many people in the Islamic community don’t wear the burqa. There are some who choose to do it, but I was asked what my view about it was and that’s what I’ve said.”
Pressed on how the comments were helpful to the current debate, Andrews said: “I wouldn’t ban it. I don’t think we should get into the position of banning particular forms of dress in the society in which we live. That seems to me contrary to liberal western principles on which our civilisation and society is built, but I do think that, as I said, I think it’s demeaning to women.”Pressed on how the comments were helpful to the current debate, Andrews said: “I wouldn’t ban it. I don’t think we should get into the position of banning particular forms of dress in the society in which we live. That seems to me contrary to liberal western principles on which our civilisation and society is built, but I do think that, as I said, I think it’s demeaning to women.”
The campaign to ban the burqa at parliament had been led by Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who has been calling for a public ban on the garment for years. Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, who has previously called for a ban on the hijab in schools, has asked Asio and the federal police to assess the security risks of people wearing full facial coverings coming into the public area of parliament house. It is already not allowed in private areas of parliament.The campaign to ban the burqa at parliament had been led by Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who has been calling for a public ban on the garment for years. Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, who has previously called for a ban on the hijab in schools, has asked Asio and the federal police to assess the security risks of people wearing full facial coverings coming into the public area of parliament house. It is already not allowed in private areas of parliament.
Abbott’s comments sparked indignation from opposition MPs. Labor leader Bill Shorten told ABC’s Lateline on Wednesday evening that Abbott was entitled to his view but should not have “editorialised” with his own views against the burqa.Abbott’s comments sparked indignation from opposition MPs. Labor leader Bill Shorten told ABC’s Lateline on Wednesday evening that Abbott was entitled to his view but should not have “editorialised” with his own views against the burqa.
“When you’re the leader of the nation, everyone listens to what you say,” said Shorten.“When you’re the leader of the nation, everyone listens to what you say,” said Shorten.
“And I wish he had just defended the right of people to practice their religion ... within those requirements that you don’t bring your conflicts to Australia, that you adhere to the rule of law here, that you support Australian values.”“And I wish he had just defended the right of people to practice their religion ... within those requirements that you don’t bring your conflicts to Australia, that you adhere to the rule of law here, that you support Australian values.”
Opposition manager of business Tony Burke told Sky News it was a “dumb” message to send, and accused the prime minister of acting like an opposition leader and choosing a divisive path when he should remember he’s the leader of the entire nation.Opposition manager of business Tony Burke told Sky News it was a “dumb” message to send, and accused the prime minister of acting like an opposition leader and choosing a divisive path when he should remember he’s the leader of the entire nation.
“People feel hurt because he’s prime minister of Australia,” said Burke.“People feel hurt because he’s prime minister of Australia,” said Burke.
“People are not being brought together in a way that Australia needs more than ever.”“People are not being brought together in a way that Australia needs more than ever.”
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said he did not find the burqa confronting and despite the bipartisan support Labor has given the government on national security matters “we’ll call him out when he’s wrong, and on this, he’s wrong”.Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said he did not find the burqa confronting and despite the bipartisan support Labor has given the government on national security matters “we’ll call him out when he’s wrong, and on this, he’s wrong”.
Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said she’d prefer it if Abbott did not wear his speedos in public, “but it’s a free country”.Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek said she’d prefer it if Abbott did not wear his speedos in public, “but it’s a free country”.
The prime minister was also indirectly rebuked from within his own party.The prime minister was also indirectly rebuked from within his own party.
Liberal MP Andrew Laming wrote in an editorial for the Daily Telegraph that a burqa ban was a “non-issue” but welcoming religious and cultural clothing was part of the package of being a successful and wealthy multicultural nation.Liberal MP Andrew Laming wrote in an editorial for the Daily Telegraph that a burqa ban was a “non-issue” but welcoming religious and cultural clothing was part of the package of being a successful and wealthy multicultural nation.
“Of course we need personal identification at security points or when ­accessing taxpayer-funded goods or services. That applies equally to wearing balaclavas, helmets and masks,” wrote Laming.“Of course we need personal identification at security points or when ­accessing taxpayer-funded goods or services. That applies equally to wearing balaclavas, helmets and masks,” wrote Laming.
However, “like wearing a robe, a cross or a shawl, it is a conspicuous form of ­religious expression, but it needn’t have any impact on the rest of us”.However, “like wearing a robe, a cross or a shawl, it is a conspicuous form of ­religious expression, but it needn’t have any impact on the rest of us”.
The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, and communications minister Malcolm Turnbull both defended Abbott’s comments.The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, and communications minister Malcolm Turnbull both defended Abbott’s comments.
“On security grounds it’s absolutely essential that people are able to be identified,” Bishop told ABC radio on Thursday.“On security grounds it’s absolutely essential that people are able to be identified,” Bishop told ABC radio on Thursday.
“I’m not confronted by clothing, Australia is a very open and free and tolerant society and we don’t discriminate on the basis of religious or cultural clothing, people are free to wear what they like, some may be offended by it, some may be confronted by it but in Australia we have a choice, and that’s that kind of choice and society we fight to defend.”“I’m not confronted by clothing, Australia is a very open and free and tolerant society and we don’t discriminate on the basis of religious or cultural clothing, people are free to wear what they like, some may be offended by it, some may be confronted by it but in Australia we have a choice, and that’s that kind of choice and society we fight to defend.”
Turnbull said Abbott’s candidness was one of his endearing qualities, and called for Shorten to stop playing politics.Turnbull said Abbott’s candidness was one of his endearing qualities, and called for Shorten to stop playing politics.
“[Abbott] is very open and I think what he said was fair enough.”“[Abbott] is very open and I think what he said was fair enough.”
Palmer United party senator Jacqui Lambie has been vocal in her calls for a total ban on burqas and her criticisms of Islamic law, which she believes involves terrorism.Palmer United party senator Jacqui Lambie has been vocal in her calls for a total ban on burqas and her criticisms of Islamic law, which she believes involves terrorism.
She told the Seven network’s Sunrise that she thought Abbott’s comments were brave, and the issue was about national security.She told the Seven network’s Sunrise that she thought Abbott’s comments were brave, and the issue was about national security.
“We must be able to tell the body language, and we can do that by the face,” she said.“We must be able to tell the body language, and we can do that by the face,” she said.
Maha Abdo from the Muslim Women’s Association replied that there was no issue with Muslim women lifting their veil to be identified by security if need be, and asked why that posed a security issue. Lambi said she couldn’t hear the question. Maha Abdo from the Muslim Women’s Association replied that there was no issue with Muslim women lifting their veil to be identified by security if need be, and asked why that posed a security issue. Lambie said she couldn’t hear the question.
Abdo cited the extensive work done in NSW to establish procedures at security points for identifying women wearing the covering.Abdo cited the extensive work done in NSW to establish procedures at security points for identifying women wearing the covering.
“We’ve worked through it so clearly so there’s no conflict,” she said.“We’ve worked through it so clearly so there’s no conflict,” she said.
Lambi’s call for a blanket ban on the burqa is supported by Cory Bernardi and fellow Coalition backbencher George Christensen. Abdo said the rule change was a “joke” and sent a message that “this piece of cloth, or Muslim women’s clothing, is associated with terror and security threat”.
“Are they responding to a genuine threat here?” she said. “Why are we giving this any time, where there are real threats out there?”
She said there was deep frustration among women in the Muslim community at being targeted by senior government figures, but there was “no more anger”.
“Now it’s a feeling of sympathy, because our government is so pathetic, that it’s lowered itself to playing games with its citizens and building up threats that don’t exist,” Abdo said.
The chief executive of the Arab Council of Australia, Randa Kattan, called the measure “absolutely outrageous”.
“There are conflict messages coming out of Canberra. The prime minister says on one hand that he wants everyone on Team Australia. But at the same time, we see something like today’s decision,” she said.
“It isolates women ever further. It’s a clear message that women in society are targeted, and Muslim women more so.”
She said that fear was being “whipped up” and had left some members of her staff who wear the hijab worried about travelling around Sydney. “We’re all for national security, we all want to feel protected, but it’s coming at the expense of innocent people”
Lambie’s call for a blanket ban on the burqa is supported by Cory Bernardi and fellow Coalition backbencher George Christensen.
A final decision on any ban within the public areas of parliament house is expected to be made within a week.A final decision on any ban within the public areas of parliament house is expected to be made within a week.