Bernardi slammed for burqa ban call
Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is copping flak from both sides of politics after renewing his call to ban the burqa.
His comments followed police raids across Brisbane and Sydney that resulted in 15 people being detained and the charging of a Sydney man with a serious terrorism-related offence.
"Note burqa wearers in some of the houses raided this morning? This shroud of oppression and flag of fundamentalism is not right in Aust(ralia)," Senator Bernardi tweeted on Thursday.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott played down the comment, saying Australians should not fret about what people wear.
"This isn't about people's religion. It's not about what people wear. It's about potential terror attacks here in Australia," he told reporters in the Northern Territory.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Senator Bernardi's comments were stupid.
"The last thing we need at a time like this are ignorant comments from government MPs that feed prejudice," Mr Shorten said.
Senator Bernardi has been a frequent critic of the burqa, saying it raises security and identification concerns.
