Veil request has already been covered

To pass this proposed legislation would serve only to send a message to the broader community that until the introduction of these new laws, Muslim women have had the ability to exploit a (nonexistent) loophole in the law. This would be a grossly inaccurate picture to paint of such a tiny group of Muslim women who choose to cover their faces.

To put it bluntly, the only gains to be made by some with these laws would be political. Not law and order or greater social cohesion.

Laws should not be made on the back of one isolated incident in a different state and without local community consultation.

The case with Carnita Matthews was unfortunate, and Australian Muslims are disappointed with the false claims she may have levelled against the police officer.

An even more unfortunate situation would be to react in a knee-jerk fashion and introduce laws that are inelegant, unnecessary and excessive.