Female prisoners who want to conceal their faces by wearing the burka will be allowed to do so by the South Australian government.
The ruling came yesterday as State Corrections Minister Tom Koutsantonis joined Multicultural Affairs Minister Grace Portolesi in opposing legislation drafted by independent MP Bob Such to outlaw wearing of the Islamic head-to-toe covering in selected security-sensitive public buildings and government offices.
Labor MPs also moved to defend Ms Portolesi after The Australian yesterday reported comments by Liberal senator Cory Bernardi that she was a “political correctness extremist” for her defence of the burka.
Mr Koutsantonis said: “If a prisoner entered the system who wanted to wear a burka for religious or cultural reasons, the Department of Correctional Services would respect that decision.
“Male Sikhs are allowed to wear turbans in prison, however, staff can request for it to be temporarily removed for the purpose of conducting a search.”
Senator Bernardi and Ms Portolesi yesterday engaged in an emotive debate over the issue on ABC radio.