Foxy, I agree with that. However I go further, if a woman chooses to wear any type of head covering, then that's her right in a free society. I say that woman should not suffer discrimination and segregation. Over the past 2 decades I've known a HUGE number of Muslims (mainly through my sister who was in a Christian religious order), and all the women I've closely known who wear head coverings "choose" to do that, it's not "forced" upon them by controlling, violent men (which is the stereotype that the bigots here like to peddle).

Islam is a bad religion, as is Christianity. All religions are bad. Why? Because they believe in gods that don't exist. But, they have every right in a free society to believe in whatever mythical gods they choose. And they have every right to dress in the manner they "choose". We have no right to insist they dress in the way "we" demand.

In Parliament House, the public should be required to undergo proper identity checks (I think that currently is the case). Women in full burqas present ZERO threat in Austraila, and ZERO threat in Parliament House and they should, like everyone else, undergo full and proper identity verification prior to entry. Muslims are Aussies, just like Christians and atheists are Aussies. Please don't fall for the right wing press propaganda. By the way, hardly any women in Australia wear the burqa anyway.

Foxy, your interpretation of what the burqa represents is not the interpretation of what the burqa represents to any Muslim -- except a crazy, fundamentalist Muslim. It's important to know the difference between the ordinary, everyday Aussie Muslim blokes and sheilas and the ignorant, crazy, violent, fundamentalist, murderous Muslims that the right wing press use to increase their sales and advertising.

Most comments on OLO in a while.
Suckers!
When will you people realise this is a premeditated, cynical and disgusting ploy to distract from the governments horror budget, its rorting, deceit and general uselessness.

Choice doesn't reside solely with the wearers of head-gear though.

I can think of a number of situations where removal of headgear that limits easy identification could be a reasonable condition for entry and while on the premises.

Unless someone is to be detailed to accompany the person after his/her ID has been established and for the full time s/he is on the premises, which cannot always be arranged.

Would a reasonable person object if it was a condition for access to school grounds, for example? The alternative is to wait at the gate.

Muslim women (or visiting nuns if some want it that way) cannot be too precious about that. I certainly don't object to always having a current Blue Card to help out occasionally even though my children attended the school and my family and I have been volunteering for years, and like other volunteers I always check in and out at the school office.

Frankly I see it as cooperation and a mark of respect where people visiting a school ensure they are always easily identifiable and restrict themselves to direct routes where they are in full view.

It isn't just about security, it is ordinary politeness and easing the task of responsible teachers too.

ConservativeHippie, the solution is simple. Ban the wearing of these when in any public place, the exception being their private residence, or their place of worship.

Or, better still, let's have a referendum and bring up several topics. Perhaps we could hold one every second federal election, and every first state election. Because after all, this is Australia we are talking about, and who better to decide what can and can't happen here than the people themselves.

On this subject I simply echo the sentiments of The Greens NSW spokesperson for Multiculturalism Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, Australia's only female Muslim MP.

Media Release
2.10.2014
Greens NSW MP and Multicultural Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has called the push by politicians to ban the burqa racist, oppressive and patronising to women. Dr Faruqi is the sole female Muslim MP in any Australian state or federal parliament.
Dr Faruqi said:
“We live in a society where people have the right to wear what they want. Muslim women have the right to freedom of choice, just like every other Australian.
“No one in Australia has the right to tell a woman how to dress, least of all the Government. It is a woman’s right to choose what she wears.
“In NSW, women who cover their faces can simply ask to be identified by a female officer in a private place showing that the national security argument doesn’t stack up.
“These proposals are about racist dog whistling and attempts to fracture our multicultural community. Sadly it has already greenlighted racist violence against Muslims across the country, including a Muslim woman being thrown from a train in Melbourne. As usual, it is women who bear the brunt of these racist attacks, brought on by a patronising attempt to ‘liberate’ them.
“This is a time for leaders to show wisdom, courage and leadership, not add fuel to the fire.
“Australians value our inclusive society. Regressive moves that tells women what they can and cannot wear undermines religious freedom, women’s rights and harmony in our liberal democratic society” she concluded.

- See more at: http://www.mehreenfaruqi.org.au/greens-mp-says-banning-the-burqa-racist-oppressive-and-patronising/#sthash.1Ljc1Now.dpuf

Rehctub - spot on... either a total ban or no ban.

May May - a few flawed points in your most recent post - (1) All religions are bad. Why? Because they believe in gods that don't exist.

Can you name the God Buddhists believe in?

(2) Women in full burqas present ZERO threat in Australia, ... hardly any women in Australia wear the burqa anyway.

Its not the women underneath the burqa the Government or anyone else fears, it's the potential of some crackpot with evil intent disguised under a burqa that is the threat. The burqa itself is what poses a potential problem requiring consideration.

(3) Foxy, your interpretation of what the burqa represents is not the interpretation of what the burqa represents to any Muslim -- except a crazy, fundamentalist Muslim.

How do you know for certain what the burqa represents to 'any Muslim'? You don't know what 'any Muslim' (or anyone else) is thinking.

Fact is - The burqa is a form of cultural suppression of women dating back to ancient times. The burqa is very common in traditionally fundamentalist Islamic countries. Its the extreme fundamentalist Muslims that pose a potential threat; the burqa is associated with Islamic fundamentalism - and thus appears threatening to the average none Muslim.

(4) Please don't fall for the right wing press propaganda.

Give us a break.

(5) It's important to know the difference between the ordinary, everyday Aussie Muslim blokes and sheilas and the ignorant, crazy, violent, fundamentalist, murderous Muslims (6) that the right wing press use to increase their sales and advertising.

Everyday 'ordinary' Aussie Muslims don't wear the burqa or hijab.

The right wing press hasn't invented the fact that almost 100% of the terrorist these days are Muslim. Terrorism isn't just a advertising gimmick designed to increase sales.