Ban it in banks, for the same reasons as helmets are: No exceptions should be made for a culturally backward practice.
As for banning it elsewhere...It does not have quite the same ethical implications as child genital mutilation because it is adults, supposedly willing adults taking part. Not so simple though as it is the males that generally impose it on women. This is a cultural thing, not religious. Western culture decided (righly or wrongly) long ago that a runner style approach to women ("Needs a good man to dominate them") wasn't desirable or acceptable, so do we allow it's re-introduction in the name of "multiculturalism"?

If it is 'war on women' it is being waged by women as well because there are very few women in Australia who support the burqa are many of them are so revulsed to be to the forefront in demanding a ban.

The example of the woman in Italy whose husband now says he “will keep her indoors because he can't have other men looking at her”, following her fine for being fully veiled is childish and ridiculous. There is nothing to stop this foolish woman from calling the cops who will immediately tell the errant spouse to pull his head in. Choice and liberty mean nothing unless people claim those rights for themselves.

As for wars, there is solid evidence that women not only vote for governments that propose war but do so in such numbers that the women's vote carries the day. Women adore conservative Liberal politics and 'strong' leaders like Pig Iron Bob Menzies, Harold Holt and John Grey Gorton ("All the way with LBJ"). Australia's entry to the Vietnam war, the duration of its participation and the dreadful conscription of teens would never have been possible without the consistently strong conservative vote by women that always exceeded the vote of men.

Years later, the conservative vote of women saw the John Howard, Dubya's "Man of Steel" win and retain power for over a decade, while volunteering our troops for Iraq and Afghanistan. In Australia as in other countries, there is no doubt whatsoever that women are happy to load the cartridges and direct young men, many of whom do not even have their first experience of love with a woman to be broken or killed in fear and filth.

Banning the burqa is silly because very few are fundamentalist enough to wear it and who would want to give oxygen to further abuse of their adopted country that could foster hatred in their homes? Because the home is where the seed of fundamentalist hatred is planted and nurtured.

<<And, if I decided to...swathe myself in a burqa no politician or government official should be there...threatening to fine me.>>
As a self-professed non-Muslim demanding the right to wear a burqa if you so choose,
you should also extend this "right" to any man who wants to wear a burqa,
otherwise you would have to agree that you are a sexist.
Therefore, any man should be able to wear a burqa anywhere, anytime, including banks, law courts, etc,
in the same manner that you have demanded for yourself.

<<The result was that her husband now says he “will keep her indoors because he can't have other men looking at her”>>
If an Australian man publicly declared that he would imprison his wife within her own house for whatever reason he deemed reasonable, you would presumably think that to be perfectly okay.
You would say that she must do what her husband says otherwise she will remain a prisoner.
Far better that, than to demand her husband stops imprisoning her.
But wait,
Islam grants men complete authority over their women...
"Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other"
Koran 4:34
... so who are we to argue with Allah's perfect and eternal message to Mohammed?
After all forcing a woman to wear a burqa is better than beating them:
"As for those from whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them."
Koran 4:34

What happens when feminism meets multiculturalism?
Mass confusion!
"Oh my goodness. Which ism takes precedence?"
Keep the laughs coming.

Lyn has declared war on common sense.
Next she will be saying that the push to ban genital mutilation of both boys and girls is a war on children!

The Burka is a symbol of oppression and Lyn wants to keep it. The burka has got little to do with Islam. and even if it did if a religion said that women should have their left hand cut off would Lyn be defending their right to have it done?

Lyn it may be hard for you to imagine, but sometimes western aren’t the bad guys and yourself loathing of your own culture is missed placed.

Few Australians oppose "modest garments" whether supposedly "Islamic" or any other religious order, cult, racial or ethnic group.

BTW there's no "Islamic dress code" bar both sexes dress "modestly" and implication that women cover their hair.

My only issue and that of most others is IDENTIFICATION.

FACT - the burqa is a cultural garment for which proponents falsely claim religious obligation. The problem is concealment of the wearers face, therefore identity. Should Australias 'burqa brigade' modify the sack to reveal face from eyebrows to under chin - problem solved!

CJ - the Islamaphobe accusation has surely worn thin. For Allahs sake find a new catchcry! Most Australians support freedom of religion and expression UNLESS such 'freedom' interferes with rights and freedom of others. I believe it my right to be able to identify the person who enters my premises.

As for burqa wearers - regardless of protestations from dubious sources that it's purely voluntarily (doubtful, and personal experience supports my suspicion) this garment precludes any real participation in wider society. Little opportunity exists for the wearer to engage in social or vocational roles outside domestic confines - UNLIKE equally 'traditional' headscarf wearers. The latter, more often than not, cover all but face and hands, can and often do fulfil important community roles and interact outside immediate family. This is what multiculturalism is supposed to do for Australia right? It's all about the sharing and working together for a richer, better society. Being faceless makes that impossible.

So why ban it rather than let it 'die out' like many claim? Burqas have been on Australian city streets since the 70s - over 30 yrs. Waves of immigration from ethnic groups who insist women wear the burqa continue. Without a ban on FACE COVERING (the burqa need only have minor modification) those who want complete 'non-personalisation' of their womenfolk will insist on it and those who for misplaced belief wear it willingly will continue doing so.

It's not wrong or discrimatory insisting on the same standard for everyone.

"An intelligent, well-argued article with which I substantially agree'
Farewell CJ.
All the best conversing with your friend in the mirror.