Security is not achieved by a one-off identify check at the door, it is fundamentally about ensuring that all persons on the site and if necessary, in the surrounding area, are readily identifiable at all times.

In such cases there is no discrimination because individuals can choose what fashion accessories they wear and where they want to go. In that, Mt Abbott has the same choices in his budgie smugglers as the skull and crossbones veiled outlaw motorcyclist has in his helmet and colours. The outside bar maybe, not the lounge.

I don't support banning the burqa or niqab where women voluntarily choose the fashion because in a free society everyone should dress as they please, excepting that dress standards do apply in some circumstances such as for security or to avoid affront.

Importantly, a ban should be avoided because could create a cause célèbre for activists to foment civil strife and put pressure on even more unfortunate women to don the chaff bag (and head first!).

However, none of that should be taken to imply any support for these outrageous fashions, which arguably could have a worse physical and psychological impact on the wearer than the emaciated conditions of fashion models so staunchly criticised by the medical fraternity and the women's movement. Plainly, such self-harming fashions should be discouraged rather than encouraged and that has implications for girls and young women who could be at risk.

What needs to be recognised is that the burqa and niqab do cause affront to many people, especially women and such feelings are legitimate and should be taken into account. These fashions are symbols of oppression and are downright unhealthy and there is no disputing that. In fact, where likelihood to cause community affront is concerned, it is only the swap of gender of the wearer, and victim for oppressor, that set the burqa and niqab apart from the Klansman's outfit. It is a sobering thought that if the men wore the head concealing cloth instead and their treatment of women was the same, wearing a burqa in public would be an offence.

Pericles.

I do apologise if I sounded curt.

The Burqa should not be an issue for the wider public to have to debate.

The Burqa is an antiquated relic of tribal mores from an horrendous environment. Hardly suitable for modern Australian cities.

Also, one is reminded that masking the face has profound meaning ... Traditionally, those to be executed were masked/or their eyes covered; masking is significant in traditional ritual. Without access to expression and body language, the individual becomes depersonalised.

The argument that the Burqa would prevent women from unwelcome advances or rape, sinks without trace. In such a case, the woman would be even further victimised within her community.

I agree that it shouldn't be banned. Others have argued more cogently regarding this.

It is up to Muslim leaders, themselves, to bring some leadership, erudition, commonsense and compassion to this issue

Yes Danielle, I agree it should be banned.
I think the comment of the Moslem man in Italy whose wife was fined for
wearing the burqua is an opener for some.

He said, "I cannot allow other men to see my wife" !
That is why it is worn and all the waffle to the contrary is nonsense.

Actually when a women is found wearing that monstrosity her husband
should be sentenced to a course of counselling.

Danielle, "It is up to Muslim leaders, themselves, to bring some leadership, erudition, commonsense and compassion to this issue"

As a society we should go further than that to discourage the fashion by not making unnecessary concessions. The responsibility is to the children and young women more so than the adults - whose traditions and rituals are more likely rusted on. It is as much a body image issue as scrawny fashion models is it not?

@ Pericles....

"I stand corrected on the issue of criminal use, Danielle."

Stone the crows and the ducks Pericles..you were corrected on that issue errr light years ago.... during the 'Kirpan' debate or thereabouts... over and over.. but the words of Jesus are very appropriate here "Have I been with you this long and yet you do not know me"..in your case it's not about knowing Him but the issues which are paraded in front of your seeing but unperceiving eyes on a regular basis.

Danielle.. you go girl !

Just to keep you slightly honest, Boazy - do you have any evidence of the Sikh kirpan being used to commit any crimes anywhere?