Source: The Age/AAP

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/pm-rejects-headscarves-ban/2005/08/29/1125302511538.html

On August 30, 2005 the Australian Associated Press reported, "A proposal to ban Muslim girls from wearing traditional headscarves in state schools has been rejected by Prime Minister John Howard and all the main political parties in Victoria. Mr Howard said yesterday a ban on scarves — urged by prominent Liberal backbenchers Bronwyn Bishop and Sophie Panopoulos — would be impractical and could mean turbans had to go as well. The two Liberals sparked the headscarf debate days after Mr Howard called Muslim leaders to a summit to calm tensions after the London bombings, and to seek help in countering extremists. Mrs Bishop said wearing scarves at public schools was an iconic act of defiance, while Ms Panopoulos said it was more an act of rebellion than religion. After staying quiet on the issue for days, Mr Howard yesterday sought to quell the debate, saying: "I don't think it's practical to bring in such a prohibition."