One Nation’s Mark Latham ramps up calls for burqa ban in NSW state buildings

Controversial One Nation candidate Mark Latham has got behind Pauline Hanson’s calls to ban the burqa, labelling the Islamic garment as ‘sexist, anti-social and silly’.

The former Labor leader, who joined up with right wing One Nation in November last year, argued that voters in NSW had become ‘very worried’ about the issue and that it was time to follow the lead of nearly a dozen countries worldwide who have banned full face veils.

Speaking this morning, he said the party is not looking to introduce a total public ban - seen in European countries such as France and Belgium - but in state government buildings.

“Our policy doesn't extend to the home or within the private community,” he said.

“[But] in schools, hospitals, police stations, state government buildings.

“The truth is we can’t build a stronger society unless we can talk to each other face to face, literally.

“It's a policy to bring people together where we can actually talk to each other and cross racial and religious boundaries.”

Mr Latham, who will stand as a candidate for the NSW upper house in the state’s upcoming election in March, added that ‘lefties’ should be getting behind the policy too.

He said that in an era of #MeToo it made sense for left wing voters to back the idea.

“There is no doubt the burqa is sexist, in that it’s there so other men can’t look at the bare flesh of women.

“In the era of #MeToo, with all these lefties racing around, why haven’t they been targeting the sexism that is underpinned by the wearing of the burqa?”

The One Nation policy to ban the garment first made headlines after party leader Pauline Hanson courted controversy by turning up to the Senate in a burqa back in August 2017.

The stunt caused outrage at the time with attorney general George Brandis lambasting the move.

“Senator Hanson, I’m not going to pretend to ignore the stunt that you have tried to pull today by arriving in the chamber dressed in a burqa when we all know you are not an adherent of the Islamic faith,” he said at the time

“I would caution you and counsel you, Senator Hanson, with respect, to be very very careful of the offence you may do to the religious sensibilities of other Australians.”