3 in 5 Australians support burqa ban

A survey has found that three in five Australians would support a ban on Muslim women wearing the burqa.

The national online poll of 1000 done this month by UMR Research showed that only 33 per cent were opposed to the ban compared to 59 per cent who were in favour of it,reports the Age.

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

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But either side of politics has not supported a ban on the burqa.

The greatest support for a ban was among males with 63 per cent,and 55 per cent among women.

And the backing increased directly with age,with only 49 per cent of people under 30 being 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.

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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).