An armed robbery allegedly carried out by a man wearing a burka has sparked a row in Australia on whether the full-face Islamic veil should be banned.
Opposition Liberal Sen Cory Bernardi said the robbery showed the burka was “emerging as the preferred disguise of bandits and ne’er-do-wells”.
Both PM Kevin Rudd and Liberal leader Tony Abbott dismissed the comments and said they would not support a ban.
The row follows similar debates on the burka in European countries.
Full story: BBC News – Australia burka armed robbery sparks ban debate