A man wearing a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) outfit has tried to enter Parliament House in Canberra in protest against the wearing of veils.
Joined by two other men, one dressed in a niqab and another wearing a motorcycle helmet, he was denied entry by security officials on Monday morning.
Police told the men that the Ku Klux Klan hood and bike helmet would have to be removed, and the veil momentarily taken off to check the identity of the wearer.
According to ABC news, reporters were not allowed to witness the security process, but "all three men emerged without their head coverings" having been denied access to the building.
Local media reports have named the men as Sergio Redegalli, Nick Folkes and Victor Waterson. They are apparently part of a movement known as "Faceless", which opposes burqas and niqabs being worn in public.
They believe that Islam has a "political ideology" which is "contrary" to Australian beliefs.
"It seems that you're allowed to wear a full-face covering into Parliament if you're a Muslim woman, but no other group is allowed to have that same privilege," Redegalli said following the incident.
"We, as males, are not allowed to wear any face coverings in Parliament House."
Australia last week reversed a proposal to segregate women who wish to wear a Muslim veil in the parliament building.
The controversial plan was announced on October 2. It stated that anyone wearing a face covering, including the full Muslim burqa or a niqab, would be seated in a glass enclosure usually reserved for visiting schoolchildren.
This was apparently in response to a rumour that a group of around 10 individuals, including some men, were planning to stage a protest in the public gallery.
However, Prime Minister Tony Abbott opposed the plan and reportedly urged lawmakers to "rethink" the decision.
It also prompted accusations of discrimination against Muslims, which is reported to have increased in Australia following increased anti-terrorism efforts by the government in the fight against ISIS.
It was announced on October 20 that the plans would not go ahead.
Visitors will have to "briefly" show their face to security, but will then be allowed to move around Parliament with their face covered.
