Peninsula MP Jonathan O’Dea backs ban on burqa and other face covers as ‘middle ground’ policy

The Davidson Liberal MP has defended the stance — which includes niqabs, face masks, motorcycle helmets and balaclavas — as a way to stop Pauline Hanson’s rise to power.

Women wearing burqas would be banned if Jonathan O’Dea had it his way.

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A BAN on wearing burqas in public has been supported by Davidson MP Jonathan O’Dea.

The NSW Liberal backbencher has defended the stance — which includes niqabs, face masks, motorcycle helmets and balaclavas — as a way to stop Pauline Hanson’s rise to power.

“My concern is that the issue is very much out there in society,” he said. “The way Pauline Hanson frames things is sometimes not in the interests of a cohesive society and it can be used as a polarising source,” he said.

Davidson State Liberal MP Jonathan O'Dea.

He told the Manly Daily he entered the debate in a bid to “bring a degree of balance and commentary that I think represents middle ground rather than allow more extreme view points to be expressed”.

Mr O’Dea used an example relayed on to him by a resident of the Davidson electorate, to point out how this was not just about certain religious groups.

He said a constituent spoke of “their fear and apprehension” after being confronted with a man wearing a balaclava on the north shore railway line.

“It caused immediate concern with a significant number of people on the carriage,” he said.

Senator Pauline Hanson at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith.

In an opinion article for the Daily Telegraph, Mr O’Dea said the face gives identity. “We often use the face, either consciously or subconsciously, to determine a person’s intent and to refine our communications. Facial expressions provide insight into a person’s mood and purpose,” he wrote.

He argued that police should have the power to enforce a ban of face coverings in public places.

Apart from the safety aspect, Mr O’Dea said there was a social aspect that should not be stopped by political correctness.

“This is not so much about security as it is about civility,” he said.

“It is about respecting your neighbours and in public showing your face when you are communicating and interacting in public. These are acceptable norms in an Australian society.”