3 in 5 Australians would support burqa ban

Melbourne, May 26 (ANI): 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 percent were opposed to the ban compared to 59 percent 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.

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

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

And the backing increased directly with age, with only 49 percent of people under 30 being in favour of a ban, rising to 72 percent of those aged 70 and over.

Among the university-educated, 49 percent favoured a ban, while 42 percent were opposed.

In contrast, 63 percent of those who had not gone beyond school education were in favour, 29 percent against.

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

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