In terrible news that sadly isn’t even remotely off-book given her previous form, Jacqui Lambie will be introducing a Private Member’s Bill into Parliament that proposes the total and unquestioned banning of all burqas, niqabs, and any other face-coverings in public, with stiff penalties including massive fines and jail time for people who fall afoul of the bill.
Australia’s Sarah Palin – which I know makes Tasmania Australia’s equivalent of Alaska, but I’m willing to wear that comparison – will table the bill before Parliament at some point in the near future. It stipulates the total and complete banning of any facial coverings in public. Proposed penalties for anyone who “forces” a child to wear facial coverings – such as a niqab – are a $68,000 fine and up to a year’s jail time. Whilst anyone who “forces” an adult to wear the same faces a $34,000 fine and six months in prison.
Anyone found in public wearing facial coverings can be issued with an on-the-spot fine or face a charge that carries a penalty of $3,400. “The process will be very simple and similar to way traffic infringements are handled by police,” the Palmer United Party senator stated.
“For basic security reasons and the need for assimilation, identity-concealing garments should not be allowed in Australian public or Parliament House. Once again, our enemies will laugh at us. France, Belgium and Turkey (an Islamic country) have all sorted this problem out. So can Australia. All it requires is some simple legislation, some courage and pride in the Australian culture.”
“In addition the prohibition of wearing face covering material or objects does not apply if such items are authorised by law, are authorised to protect the anonymity of the person, are justified for health reasons or on professional grounds, or are part of authorised artistic or traditional festivities or events.“
The proposed law will apply to everyone who steps into public, and will attract penalties if the person does not have a “reasonable excuse.” Lambie stated that “religious excuses” will not be accepted.
At this point, again, we have to draw everyone’s attention to Section 116 of the Australian Constitution that states:
“The Commonwealth shall not make any law for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion.“
So maybe instead of making up bullshit un-Constitutional laws, Lambie should instead focus more on trying to see New Zealand from her house.
Fortunately for everyone with a modicum of common sense, the chance that a Private Member’s Bill from a fringe senator representing the Palmer United Party has of actually passing through parliament and becoming law are about the same as Stone Cold Steve Austin has of winning the 1999 Royal Rumble.
“No chance in hell.“
Photo: Stefan Postles via Getty Images.
