Most would ban the burqa

Posted on May 26, 2010. Filed under: Local, News |

May 26, 2010

THREE in five Australians would support a ban on Muslim women wearing the burqa, according to a new poll.

Only 33 per cent were opposed to a ban compared to 59 per cent in favour, in the national online poll of 1000 done this month by UMR Research.

The idea of a ban was promoted recently by South Australian Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who said the burqa was ”un-Australian”.

A ban on the burqa is not supported by either side of politics.

The greatest support for a ban was among males (63 per cent; 55 per cent among women). Backing increased directly with age: only 49 per cent of people under 30 were in favour of a ban, rising to 72 per cent of those aged 70 and over. Among the university-educated, 49 per cent favoured a ban, while 42 per cent were opposed. In contrast, 63 per cent of those who had not gone beyond school education were in favour, 29 per cent against.

Those who followed a Christian religion were more likely to back a ban (62-66 per cent), while it was supported by only 54 per cent of those of no religion.

Victorians were least likely to be in favour (55 per cent); Western Australians most likely (64 per cent). There was a small difference between people in cities (58 per cent) and regional areas (61 per cent).

MICHELLE GRATTAN