BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming wants Australia to back off on the burqa.
This morning, Mr Laming went against Prime Minister Tony Abbott when he spoke out against banning the Muslim attire in federal Parliament.
In a press release, Mr Laming said Australia was a multi-cultural free society, where people could wear what they liked.
“Compared to child protection, youth unemployment and social isolation, it (wearing a burqa) is a non-issue,” he said.
“That is why, in the current environment, we should pause to contemplate the nation we have built and where we want to take it.
“Telling people how to wear their clothes shouldn’t rate a mention,” he said.
However, not according to Mr Abbott, who this morning expressed support for a push to ban the burqa from Parliament House on security grounds.
Parliamentary officials are expected to rule on a possible ban as soon as next week after receiving advice from security agencies.
Mr Abbott's senior adviser Peta Credlin told backbench MP and burqa critic George Christensen she supported a ban in Parliament.
Mr Christensen and South Australian senator Cory Bernardi have led the push to ban the garment in Parliament House.
Rather than hauling the duo into line, Mr Abbott said he found the burqa a "fairly confronting form of attire and frankly I wish it weren't worn".
