Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has used the dying days of the campaign to reignite a national debate on the burqa, while defending the controversial Liberal candidate in the Treasurer's seat of McMahon.

In making comments about the practice of Muslim women covering their head and face, Mr Abbott said the burqa was ''a very confronting attire''.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott during a visit to a transport company in Rockhampton, Queensland, on Saturday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

''Frankly, it's not the sort of attire that I would like to see widespread in our streets,'' he told reporters in Rockhampton on Saturday.

Mr Abbott was asked whether he supported the views of McMahon candidate Ray King, a former police officer who has urged an end to women wearing the burqa.