Pauline Hanson Suspended Seven Days for Burqa Stunt as She Courts Barnaby Joyce

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Pauline Lee Hanson became the first Australian senator in over four decades to be suspended for a full week — not for corruption, not for violence, but for wearing a burqa in the Senate chamber. The stunt, widely condemned as a provocative political theater, triggered an immediate seven-day suspension from the Australian Senate chamber in Parliament House, Canberra. The sanction, the longest since 1979, wasn’t just procedural — it was symbolic. And it came with a twist: just minutes after the vote, Hanson sat down with Barnaby Thomas Gerard Joyce, the former Deputy Prime Minister and National Party MP, over a steak dinner in her office, hinting at a seismic political shift in the making.

Why a Burqa? The Politics of Provocation

Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt wasn’t new. In 2017, she’d worn the same garment during a speech condemning Islamic immigration, claiming it was to illustrate what she called "oppressive" religious attire. Back then, the backlash was swift. Human rights groups called it Islamophobic. Legal experts questioned whether it violated parliamentary decorum. But no one was suspended. This time, they were.

This time, the Senate didn’t just censure — it acted. The motion passed 34 to 22, with crossbenchers and even some Coalition senators joining Labor in support. The message was clear: this wasn’t free speech. It was performance. A calculated insult dressed as protest. "It’s not about religion," said Senator Kimberley Kitching, a Labor MP. "It’s about using a sacred garment to humiliate a community. That’s not politics. That’s cruelty." Hanson, 71, didn’t apologize. In fact, she shrugged it off. "I’ve been called many things," she told reporters outside the chamber. "But I’ve never been accused of being quiet."

The Steak Dinner: A Political Overture

While the Senate was still buzzing from the vote, Hanson invited Barnaby Joyce — a towering figure in Australian conservatism — to her office. They dined alone. Steak. Red wine. No aides. No journalists. Just two politicians who’ve spent years railing against the political establishment.

Joyce, 57, didn’t commit. But he didn’t walk away either. "I’ll make a decision by the end of the week," he told 7NEWS. "I’m not here to play games. But I’m not blind to where the country’s heading." That’s the quiet bombshell. Joyce, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2017 to 2018, is one of the last major figures from the old guard of the National Party of Australia. His departure — if it happens — would be a body blow to the Coalition. And his potential move to Pauline Hanson's One Nation would be the most significant defection to the far right in modern Australian history.

One Nation, founded by Hanson in 1997, has spent years on the fringes. It’s never held more than two Senate seats. But with rising discontent over immigration, cost of living, and trust in mainstream parties, its appeal is growing. Joyce’s presence could turn it from protest movement into a real power bloc.

What’s at Stake for Australia

This isn’t just about one senator’s antics or one politician’s indecision. It’s about the erosion of political norms. Hanson’s burqa stunt didn’t spark debate — it shut it down. It turned a religious garment into a political prop, and in doing so, alienated Muslim Australians who’ve lived here for generations.

Meanwhile, Joyce’s hesitation speaks volumes. He’s not just weighing a party switch — he’s weighing whether Australia’s conservative movement still has a home in the Coalition, or if it’s already been claimed by populism.

Experts say this moment could define the next decade. "We’re seeing the slow collapse of the traditional right," said Dr. Emma Rutherford, a political scientist at the Australian National University. "Hanson doesn’t need Joyce to win votes. But Joyce needs Hanson to stay relevant. That’s the real power dynamic here."

What Happens Next

Hanson’s suspension runs through December 2, 2025. She can’t vote, speak, or access parliamentary resources. But she can still campaign. And she’s already planning rallies in Queensland and New South Wales. Meanwhile, Joyce’s office has confirmed he’s holding private meetings with One Nation officials. Sources say he’s asking about policy alignment — especially on immigration and Indigenous affairs.

If Joyce joins One Nation, he’d likely run as a candidate in the next federal election — possibly in a Queensland seat. That would force the National Party to scramble for a replacement in New England, a seat he’s held since 2013.

The timing is critical. With the next federal election expected by May 2026, this could be the opening salvo in a realignment of Australian politics. And it’s all sparked by a piece of cloth.

Background: A Pattern of Provocation

Hanson’s career has been built on controversy. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 on a platform of anti-immigration and anti-multiculturalism, she was expelled from the Liberal Party before even taking her seat. Her 1997 founding of One Nation was met with nationwide protests — and a surge in support from rural voters feeling left behind.

Her 2017 burqa stunt drew international attention. The UN Human Rights Council called it "a dangerous escalation of xenophobia." But in Australia, it won her headlines — and votes. In 2019, One Nation regained Senate representation. In 2022, it held the balance of power on several key votes.

This latest act isn’t an outlier. It’s the next chapter.