Australia’s parliament is a curious place when it comes to its dress code. Suits without ties: frowned upon. Dresses made from the national flag: absolutely not allowed. Keffiyehs in solidarity with the Palestinian cause: most definitely permitted.

On Monday, another piece of clothing caused an uproar in Australia’s Senate, so much so that it had to be suspended for 90 minutes.

The leader of the populist One Nation party, 71-year-old Pauline Hanson, grabbed global headlines by striding on the floor of the Senate wearing, a skirt, heels – and a full-length burka, covering her face but flapping loosely like Robert Donat’s tattered academic gown in Goodbye Mr Chips. Hanson was protesting the Senate’s decision to prevent her from introducing a bill to outlaw burkas and full-face coverings in public places.

Her stunt provoked roars of outrage from other senators, including two Muslims, and the presiding officer directed her to remove the offending garment. When Hanson refused, the Senate was suspended, but not before she was accused by other senators of being ‘un-Australian’, disrespectful, and being ‘a racist senator, displaying blatant racism’.

The latter slur was hurled by........

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