SYDNEY — A follower of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in Queensland has been refused a driver's licence due to the fact he wanted to wear a pasta strainer on his head for the photo.

Brisbane renderer Simon Leadbetter told Nine News he was refused a renewal of his licence by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) due to his unique choice of headwear.

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Leadbetter said his rights were being violated and he has lost four days of work due to the decision, costing him $1200 in wages.

TMR replied to his complaint on September 15, stating it would only allow religious headwear to be worn if it was part of a recognised religion and it is worn as part of their everyday life, Nine News reported.

"It is not permissible for religious headwear to be only put on for the purpose of the driver licence photo," the TMR told Leadbetter.

Leadbetter said he would not give up on his fight to wear the strainer on his head for his photograph. "It is not up to a public servant to decide what my beliefs are," he said. "I demand that my beliefs be respected."

Pastafarianism, the religion of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, has been creating waves since its creation in 2005 and this is not the first time a pasta strainer hat has been the cause of controversy.

In 2011, Niko Alm from Austria won the legal right to wear a strainer on his head in his licence photo. It took him three years of campaigning and a psychological assessment.

In 2013, student Eddie Castillo from Texas followed the lead of Alm and was granted the right to wear his headpiece.

"You might think this is some sort of a gag or prank by a college student, but thousands, including myself, see it as a political and religious milestone for all atheists everywhere," he said.