Australia: Full Face Coverings Prohibition in Public Places

Full Face Coverings Prohibition in Public Places (Summary Offences) Bill 2014 - Lambie

Palmer United Senator for Tasmania Jacqui Lambie has submitted a draft bill and research papers to the Office of Parliamentary Council in order to create Private Member’s legislation, which will make it illegal for a person to wear a full face covering while in public in Australia.

" The facial covering farce and stunt which occurred in Parliament house yesterday, was caused by a leadership failure created by the PM and the Liberal/ National Parties. 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.” said Senator Lambie.

“The private members legislation I’ve asked the Parliamentary drafters to create (see attached 1), will be a simple Bill modelled on the recent French legal and political experience. (see attached 2) Any person who is deemed by a police officer to have worn any identity concealing garments in public unlawfully, will be issued with an on the spot fine or charged with an offence which carries a maximum fine of $3,400. The process will be very simple and similar to way traffic infringements are handled by police.” said Senator Lambie

“My private members bill will also introduce a further 2 offences. One for those who force or intimidate an adult into wearing identity concealing garments – and another for those who force or intimidate children into wearing identity, concealing garments.” said Senator Lambie.

“Any person found guilty of those offences will face maximum fine and/or jail term of $34,000 and 6 months - with respect to the crime committed to adults. And a maximum fine and/or jail term of $68,000 and 12 months if a person is found guilty of unlawfully forcing a child to wear an identity-concealing garment in public. Religious excuses will not be accepted as reasonable exemptions or lawful defence in my private members bill - because the wearing of full-facial coverings is not mandated in any holy book.

However there will be exemptions for people to wear identity-concealing garments in private places of worship - and of course in the sanctity of their own home. 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.” said Senator Lambie

ENDS

© Scoop Media