Yesterday in the Senate, Pauline Hanson made headlines by wearing a burqa shortly after the government denied her request to introduce a bill aimed at banning full face-covering garments in Australia.

This marks the second occasion Hanson has worn a burqa in Parliament, the first being in 2017, which also sparked widespread criticism.

In response to Hanson’s actions, Tanya Plibersek expressed her disapproval during an appearance on Today, describing it as “disappointing behavior” and questioned the intent behind Hanson’s gesture.

“I can’t recall the last time someone wearing a burqa robbed a bank,” Plibersek remarked, highlighting her skepticism over Hanson’s concerns.

Plibersek further commented, “Just two weeks ago, there were neo-Nazis lined up outside the NSW Parliament House, yet I haven’t heard her align with ASIO to acknowledge that the fastest-growing threat to the Australian community is right-wing extremism.”

“The only thing that she’s ensured today is that some schoolgirl wearing a headscarf is going to get bullied on the train on the way to school.”

Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth dismissed the stunt as “shenanigans” typically seen in the last sitting week of parliament for the year.

Greens leader Larissa Waters doubled down on her condemnation from yesterday, calling it a “pathetic stunt”.

“I’m all for re-wearing outfits, but not when it’s an outfit that’s insulting to anyone of faith in the country, and insulting to anyone who wants parliament to actually help people and fix the cost of living and bring down the cost of housing,” she said.

“It’s shameless attention seeking that doesn’t actually help anyone or make anyone’s lives better.

“It actually just fuels racism. It’s dangerous and pathetic.”

Hanson attracted criticism from all sides, with Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, Independent Senator Fatima Payman, and Australia’s Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik all slamming the burqa stunt.

But the One Nation leader claimed her critics were “hypocrites” in a press release yesterday afternoon, claiming without providing examples that Greens members were allowed to wear “symbols of terrorism” in parliament without censure.

“This is not about religious expression. This is about community safety, national security, women’s rights, public civility and social cohesion,” she said.