It is not racist, sexist, anti-religious freedom or any other possible 'IST' that any zealous politically correct social engineer could invent in a month of brain-storming workshops if the LAW simply prescribes that covering ones face so as to conceal identity in public is illegal. Exceptions being those people with a medical/health issue (Drs certificate required as for current seatbelt exemption, disabled parking permit etc) or those whose legitimate employment may require masks or helmuts, eg Actors engaged in promo work.

This covers the entire Australian population and is completely FAIR.

If there are people out there of certain CULTURAL persuasions who believe that it is absolutely essential for the family/tribal honour that no-one sees the face of their womenfolk who have reached puberty bar husbands and immediate family - then those people should be invited to return to their country of origin. I am absolutely CERTAIN that should a whip around be called to assist in their repatriation, there would be no shortage of donations.

As far as new immigrants are concerned, there should be a list of unacceptable cultural practices not tolerated in Australia made very clear to the applicants with the understanding that flouting these conditions will mean a one way ticket back to wherever they came from.

Problem solved!

In response to the comment by Maracas1, I question whether opposition to wearing of the burqua warrants the blanket description of "anti-Islam". Many followers of Islam in Australia do not wear a cloth of any kind on their head or face.

Being opposed to Islamic extremists who support and or impose wearing of the burqua, on the other hand, appears an entirely justifiable position to me - given the other inhumane, oppressive and repressive practices of a minority of Islamic extremists, and which have no place in a modern, educated (needs to be stressed) and humane society.

On the other hand the highly public behaviour of a minority of Isalmic extremists insisting on wearing the burqua as if a human right does little to encourage tolerance of Islam in this country, rather the extremists fan prejudice against the whole religion of Islam; which I feel is a separate issue that points to this ridiculous practice as socially divisive. It may well be the intent of some wearers and perpetrators (those who force or intimidate women into wearing it) as part of the extremists' war or "Islamic jihad" against the Western culture whhich they purport to despise.

At some point we ordinary Australians need to take a stand on behalf of our own values. The practice of tolerance has serious limitations when our civilsed way of life and national security are placed under threat by the repressive and ignorant practices of a minority of Islamic extremists which in no way show respect for human rights.

I loathe the burqa and all that it stands for,
but like Shadow Minister I'm ambivalent as to whether
my personal antipathy (and that of others) outweighs
the freedom of people to wear whatever they like.
Women who choose to wear the burqa aren't actually
causing harm to anyone else by wearing it.

Surely there are ways of discouraging the wearing of
the burqa short of banning it?

There's more to feminism or advocating for women's rights than just the wearing of a burqa. Nobody complained when nuns wore habits from neck to knee, when only their faces and hands were visible. Men with long hair, a full beard and sun glasses are another group, but nobody advocates outlawing these choices. Women in Afghanistan for example who are forced to wear the burqa by fundamentalists and/or war lords etc are treated in a most cruel and horrific manner-our participation in their country is only adding to their horror. Where were the outbursts of outrage,when Pres Karzai allowed legislation through the Afghan Parliament that allowed men to rape their wives! We didn't take action over that! No word either from Fred Nile or Conservative Senators. If we're really fair dinkum about human rights for women, let's go further than facial covering!
I support women making their own choices!

I think we should ban the tie. What stupid person dreamt up such a useless piece of clothing. And to think some women now want to copy men in wearing this piece of cloth.

Liz45 has taken the moral high ground by referring to extreme examples from other countries.

Runner has also resorted to extremes, and has sought to ridicule those who support banning the burqua as if it were an entirely arbitrary form of attire, like wearing a tie.

Their arguments lack logic and as a human rights cause, jumping on this band wagon has limitations in that, as migrants from Islamic countries become enculturated and their children take advantage of the education system, the archaic practice is unlikely to persist.