MalcolmTurnbull has shot down calls to ‘ban the Burqa’ in Australia after Chancellor Angela Merkel announced her support for a partial ban in Germany.
The Prime Minister today said the Commonwealth would not support or propose a ban on the burqa after he was asked the German Chancellor’s comments.
It comes after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson praised Chancellor Merkel’s comments and vowed to fight for a ban in Australia in 2017.
Mr Turnbull said the situation in Europe was different. “What you’re seeing in Europe is the consequences of uncontrolled irregular migration, I mean the Europeans regrettably lost control of their borders,” he said on 3AW radio today.
“When I was in the UN recently talking to a lot of European leaders, they all talked about the way this large scale irregular migration posed a real threat to their societies, to the stability of their democracies.
“That is why it is vital for us to maintain the security and the integrity of our borders.”
Mr Turnbull said Australia would remain tough on border security.
“We’re a very generous compassionate nation,” he said.
“We accept a lot of refugees but the Australian people expect their Government and not people smugglers to decide who comes here.”
His comments come after Senator Hanson backed calls for a ban, writing on social media earlier in the week: “I honestly don’t see how anyone on either side of the house would disagree with this law coming into effect”.
“When parliament resumes next year in Canberra, I will be pushing for a ban on the burka in Australia.”
Ms Merkel comments at a Christian Democratic Union party conference on Tuesday evening have dominated headlines in Europe this week.
“The full veil must be prohibited wherever that is legally possible,” she said.
The comments were part of a wideranging talk where she also condemned hate speech and spoke of her support for free trade.
Dutch MPs last month voted to ban the full-face burqa from some public places, such as schools and hospitals.
France and Belgium already have similar bans.
Online Source: News.com.au.
