الباقة الإعلامية بنت جبيل عروس الجليل موقع بنت جبيلي أصيل همه البلدة وشؤون أبنائها
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has weighed into the burqa ban debate, saying he finds the traditional Islamic head covering “confronting”.
His comments come after his chief-of-staff Peta Credlin reportedly voiced her support for a move to ban burqas in Parliament House for security reasons.
Mr Abbott briefly addressed the media today, telling reporters he didn’t support a ban on the wearing of the headwear but said he did find them “confronting”.
“Frankly, I wish it was not worn but we are a free country, we are a free society and it is not the business of Government to tell people what they should and shouldn’t wear,” he said.
“It should be governed by the rules that are appropriate for a secure building and obviously people need to be identifiable in a secure building such as this.”
Backing Ms Credlin’s comments, Mr Abbott stressed the debate should focus on the security implications of full face coverings, rather than “making a big song and dance about a hypothetical”.
“Has anyone ever sought entry to this building so attired? As far as I am aware, no.”
Peta Credlin.
The comments come ahead of today’s meeting between Parliament’s presiding officers and security officials, which will look at Liberal senator Cory Bernardi’s request to ban the burqa from being worn inside the building.
According to Fairfax Media, Mr Abbott’s top adviser earlier told Liberal MP George Christensen she was sympathetic to the plan.
But she warned the bankbench MP to keep the debate focused on the security implications, rather than inflaming cultural tension.
The ban-the-burqa debate arose after controversial Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie drafted a private member’s bill, calling for a total ban of the headwear in all public places.
“The need for these laws is real — because the threat to national and public security and safety by extremists is real,” she said in a statement released on Monday.
Meanwhile, Parliament has passed the Coalition’s full suite of new counter-terrorism laws.
© ninemsn 2014
