Queensland politicians will reportedly vote over whether to ban face coverings like the burqa.

According to the West Australian, MPs will be meeting this weekend for the Liberal National Party state conference, which will be attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Resources Minister Matt Canavan and David Littleproud.

Bans on face coverings have been introduced in several countries around the world and extend to people not just wearing religious veils like the burqa or niqab but also for those donning masks, helmets, and balaclavas.

France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Congo, Turkey and Switzerland are the places, which have partial or full bans on face coverings.



Advert

The LNP meeting in Queensland will touch on tons of issues, but the potential ban on face coverings comes at a time when Australia is debating religious freedoms laws.



There's a push for a Religious Discrimination Bill to be introduced to Aussie legislation to protect people from being persecuted against because of their faith.

For example, it would protect someone like Israel Folau from being sacked by Rugby Australia for a social media post which said homosexuals, among other sinners, would be sent to hell for their sinful ways.

Advert

While it couldn't be used retrospectively, it would give grounds for people to not be discriminated against because of their religion.

Which is why it'd be an interesting move from Queensland because it's hard to argue for religious freedoms when a ban on the burqa would limit a Muslim woman's ability to practice her faith.

Credit: PA

Politicians in the Sunshine State might provide some parameters for the ban like refusing face coverings only in particular areas.

Advert

It's also worth noting that it's only Coalition MPs who will be voting on the measure, despite Queensland having a Labor government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk denied a push from One Nation's Pauline Hanson in 2017 about a ban on burqa's in the state.

Ms Hanson said she didn't want to see the burqa in government buildings or schools, despite there already being a law in place to stop that from happening. But it hasn't stopped the One Nation leader from pushing with the plan.