Jacqui Lambie's private member's bill aimed at banning the burqa in Australia could be unconstitutional, two leading lawyers say.

The Palmer United senator has announced plans to introduce a bill to ban the facial covering worn by some Muslim women but it could violate section 116 of the constitution which states "The Commonwealth shall not make any law …for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion".

Senator Lambie said in a statement on Monday that she would be seeking to ban "identity concealing religious garments" and hoped it would be put to a conscience vote. The Tasmanian senator added "I've yet to discuss this matter in detail with other PUP colleagues".

Palmer United leader Clive Palmer has publicly distanced himself on several occasions from Senator Lambie's strident comments on sharia and the burqa.