Malcolm Turnbull addresses call to ban the burqa, urges to ‘put safety first’

Malcolm Turnbull has addressed issues concerning a call to ban the burqa in public buildings. The prime minister said there are certain places in which people’s faces should not be covered, but insisted that it is about “putting safety first” and is not related to religion.

“The fundamental rule has got to be safety first. This has got nothing to do with religion or any of that. It is a simple, practical matter,” he said.

The comments came in an interview with 4BC Radio in which Turnbull was asked about how much of a risk to national security the burqa is. He said it is something that should not be generalised, but acknowledged that people’s faces should not be covered in certain environments for identity reasons.

“We don’t tell people how to dress in Australia,” Turnbull clarified. When asked about One Nation’s call to ban the burqa in public buildings in Queensland, he said it will vary on each environment whether new laws were required to regulate face coverings.

Turnbull earlier explained during a press conference in Scarborough, Queensland that the proposed ban was “a decision for the relevant governments or authorities.” “But we don’t see a lot of burqas in Australia, let’s face it,” he said.

But for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palasczuk, a burqa ban is not necessary. Palaszczuk said on Tuesday that the state already adhered to procedures and policies in which people are required to show their full face every time they enter government buildings.

Turnbull has also replied to issues regarding the vacancy in the health portfolio after Sussan Ley resigned on Friday. When he was asked if he will give the vacant seat to acting health minister Arthur Sinodinos permanently, he said an announcement will be made very shortly.

He is confident that he has a talented team. “They’re all extremely able and I’m not going to comment on any individual in respect of the vacancy that you’ve referred to,” Turnbull said.

Ley filed a resignation following an investigation into her travel expense claims. This includes what she described as an “error of judgment” in charging for a trip to the Gold Coast in which she bought a $795,000 apartment.