Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie, of the Palmer United Party, has proposed a $34,000 fine and up to 12 months jail time if parents force their children to wear a burqa.
Her draft legislation, which details prohibiting full face coverings in public places, was released via a media statement.
Senator Lambie’s bill would see “any person who is deemed by a police officer to have worn any identity-concealing garments in public” issued with an on-the-spot [maximum] fine of $3400.
“For basic security reasons and the need for assimilation, identity-concealing garments should not be allowed in Australian public or Parliament House,” Senator Lambie said.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a Parliamentary research paper has warned that the proposed law would likely be dismissed by the High Court.
If passed, Senator Lambie will seek to implement two more offences that would see a person jailed and fined $34,000 if they forced someone to wear a full face covering like a burqa.
