Labor Government slams proposed law to ban burqas court

A PROPOSED law to ban women from wearing burqas and jail people being disruptive in courts has been slammed by the Labor Government.

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A PROPOSED law to ban women from wearing burqas and jail people being disruptive in courts has been slammed by the Labor Government.

The State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy unveiled the disrespectful court law on Monday, arguing it aimed to give judges and magistrates more power in Victorian courtrooms.

However Attorney general Martin Pakula has indicated the Andrews Government will oppose the laws if it is introduced into the Victorian Parliament.

“I think it is just opportunism. It suggests all he (Mr Guy) is interested in is hopping into bed with One Nation and trying to extract a few votes from the far right,’’ he said.

“I have meetings with the head of jurisdiction, the head of DPP, police, all the time. I have never had one request for a law of this nature because the courts know that they have general contempt of court powers that if people have been disruptive, if people are being disrespectful.’’

The Labor Government has slammed a proposed law to ban women from wearing burqas and jail people being disruptive in courts. Generic picture: istock

Mr Guy stood firm saying the changes would be “a line in the sand”.

“It is about time we brought respect back into our court system,” Mr Guy said.

The proposed laws — based on a model implemented in New South Wales — would create “one set of rules for all of us”, covering bikies, political protesters and anyone disrespecting the court for religious reasons.

Under the changes women wearing the burqa or niqab who refuse to show their faces in court could face two weeks’ jail or a $1500 fine.

The law would also extend to political protesters and unruly defendants who cause a ruckus during proceedings ­despite having been warned.

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