PRIME Minister Tony Abbott says he finds burqas confronting and wishes they weren't worn.

But he insists the debate over a burqa ban at Parliament House should be treated as a matter of security.

Mr Abbott’s comments come after his Chief of Staff reportedly gave support to a push that would see the controversial Muslim garment banned at Parliament House.

“Frankly, I wish it was not worn but we are a free country, we are a free society and it is not the business of Government to tell people what they should and shouldn't wear.”

The Prime Minister said it was a matter for the presiding officers as to whether the burqa was banned in Parliament House.

But he stressed it is a “secure building”.

“It should be governed by the rules that are appropriate for a secure building and obviously people need to be identifiable in a secure building such as this.”

He urged against “making a big song and dance about a hypothetical”.

{Peta Credlin supports burqa ban in Parliament House on security grounds} OCTOBER 01, 2014 full article here