That's reassuring to hear. Congratulations to the premier for having the courage to stand up for what is right, against popular opinion.

That sounds naive. So to balance it with insane cynicism, I find it unsurprising to find the person who proposed this ban was a Christian Democrat, and a reverend.

It has popular support in that if you conducted a poll many would agree. But it's not a big issue and I doubt many would change their vote at election time over an issue like this... well some in the Islamic community would I suppose.

Which explains why the premier of the state can oppose it. Oh well. Still for the best.

@ Draugnar, why don't we ban all the things that could stop you from being identified? Tinted car windows, for example. I'm for that.
And before any of you say that it'd be restricted your "freedoms", guess what? You can't do whatever you feel like anyway. You may have freedom of speech, but you can't verbally threaten someone. You may have freedoms, but they are limited. Some people (such as myself) believe that we've started favouring the rights of the individual more than the rights of the group. And that's what this debate comes down to. Do you believe in the right of an individual to cover their face if they want, or do you believe that everyone else has a right to security? I'm not saying that "security" has not been used to take away fundimental rights in the past (that would be naive), but I don't think that just because something has been used poorly in the past we should never use it (that would rule out great things like democracy, money, or trials).
I believe that democratic governments are not out to be dictatorships, but to serve their own interests. The great thing about democracy is that the current leader's main interest to remain in power and the only way to do that is to please the majority more than the other guys (or girls). I have read 1984 (and enjoyed it), but a situation like that is far far off and unattainable, but many of you seem to fear being controlled so much that your fear is starting to control you and your opinions

@Spyman: thanks for clearing that up. I remember Fred Nile from when I used to be in Oz regularly (10+ years ago) and it seems like he has not improved with age.

@Figs: what is the facial expression of a suicide bomber?

@Draugnar: I also understand the potential for face recognition on the street but as someone else points out there are plenty of other ways to hide your face, many of which would attract a lot less attention than wearing a burqa.

I think the real reason some countries would want to ban the burqa is because of the cultural values that it perceived to represent (rightly or wrongly): for example, extreme Islamism, subjugation of women, and a desire not to integrate with mainstream society. So by banning the burqa, a message is communicated - if you want to live here then you have to try to fit in; if you have no desire to fit in, and if you want to set yourself completely apart from society and perhaps oppose the existing values of that society; then we don't want you here.
In Australia the Muslim population is small, and within that community, those who wish to set themselves apart (or even oppose Australian culture), is so small, that it is not enough of an issue to ban the burqa.

@Spyman, well said.

As a serial expat (four countries so far) I know something of what it is like to set up home in a foreign country. Settling close to those with similar experiences and backgrounds offers several practical advantages: language, information, a support network, etc. A neighbour who can say "I know what you are going through" is very welcome, especially when you first arrive.

If you are not sure of the language or customs, especially if your culture distances women from men other than family, it must take time to make contacts outside the circle of those "people like us". The time taken to gain the confidence to overcome that reticence might be very much longer than locals expect (ever met a shy Aussie?). My prediction is that the second generation will be down at Bondi wearing swimmers and thongs just as soon as they can give their fathers the slip.