The burqa in our culture and society with the laws of the land has no place. Claiming religious excuses and racial intimidation is unacceptable.

As late as the 1950s and 60s in the highlands of New Guinea a tribe was found that had elders that were practitioners of cannibalism. They
considered it essential for religious and cultural reasons. If these practitioners were living in Australia would they be exempt from the laws of our country?

Aquarius,

"As late as the 1950s and 60s in the highlands of New Guinea a tribe was found that had elders that were practitioners of cannibalism. They
considered it essential for religious and cultural reasons. If these practitioners were living in Australia would they be exempt from the laws of our country?"

The answer is "No", but are you writing about current Australian laws or about what those laws should be?

Agreed, one should not eat another against their will (and I personally believe that should extend to animals too!), but if someone agrees to be eaten - for whatever reason (no special exemption for religious/cultural reasons) while another wants to eat them, then the state has no right to interfere. How much more so in the case of wearing a burqa.

(however, if you, like myself actually, don't personally like burqas or cannibalism, you don't have to allow a cannibal or a person wearing a burqa in your home, or in your shop or bank-branch for that matter)

What was almost as unsettling as the court decision was the cheer squad that turned-up to comfort defendant.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/my-wife-has-suffered-for-her-burqa-says-carnita-matthews-husband/story-e6freuzi-1226080194183

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/magistrate-brian-maloneys-new-strife/story-e6freuzi-1226080217846
The link, it could have been one of 3 highlighting lawmakers failures, may only prove they are human.
I think it may add to along held view I hold the law can, at times,is in the hands of idiots.
Surely laws exist that could have seen better out comes.
A point worth noting,some are feeling they need to be very careful in contact with Muslim women.
The signature on her drivers license was different why.
Who took the test, the photos,
Can we ever be sure it is the person who claims to be behind the burka?
Are we to see the letter box style black headdress in official photos.

csteel some facts. this liar was sentenced to six months in prison for lies.
A good result.
With help from two professional tellers of un truths she won an appeal.
No halo over her head and csteel I CHALLENGE you, Trad and the other to tell me if you would even comment if it was not a Muslim.
Say a bike rider in full face helmet.
Lexi female police are not always around,this woman may well have refused to be finger printed and to do it by the roadside may leave room for challenges.
No big deal men who often,no slander just honesty, wed their first cousins then claim to own them force this stupidity on women.
No wonder mums and dads have to arrange the weddings try telling an Aussie to put a bag over her head and tell me if you would do it again after you get up from the floor!

Dear SPQR,

A case like this was always going to attract attention from divisive elements with agendas to promote, some of whom appeared in support of the woman outside the court and others on the other side some of whom have appeared on this thread.

But the fact that a mother and her seven children have been delivered from the ordeal of having to spend six months split apart not to mention the environment of a prison, through an incorrect and unjust application of the laws of this country, is something that should be worth celebrating by any fair minded individual, which I hope the majority of us are.

Still a great Aussie tradition that fairness thing, hate to see it go personally, copping a bit of a hiding here though.