Abbott Flips on Embarrasing Burqa Ruling?

Amid harsh public outcry, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reportedly requested that lawmakers abandon a plan to segregate visitors wearing facial coverings at Parliament House, according to local media.

The new interim rule, which was informally dubbed "BurkaBox," was approved Thursday by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry. The rule would force anyone with their face covered to sit in a separate glass-enclosed public gallery — a space usually occupied by rowdy schoolchildren.

"Persons with facial coverings entering the galleries of the House of Representatives and Senate will be seated in the enclosed galleries," the Department of Parliamentary Services said in a statement. "This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the chamber galleries without needing to be identifiable."

Muslim community leaders had already reported an increase in religious-based violence in recent weeks, from the desecration of mosques to women wearing head coverings being spat on in the street.

Advocacy groups and various opposition parliamentarians are now concerned that the BurkaBox proposal could spark further repercussions for Muslims, especially those wearing headscarves, and further fuel the racist rhetoric that has swept parliament.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie equated the laws with "religious apartheid," while opposition leader Bill Shorten told the Australian Associated Press that the issue has revealed the government's undue xenophobia and bias.

"If we're asking our troops to stand up to sectarianism, intolerance, and prejudice overseas, we should be prepared to do the same in our parliament," Shorten said.