Bill Shorten Attempts To Achieve Popularity Of NZ PM Jacinda Ardern

Labor leader Bill Shorten has today fronted a press conference outside parliament house in Canberra wearing an abaya, which is a full length version of a hijab.

It comes almost two weeks after New Zealand’s Prime Minister won international praise for her response to the Christchurch shooting.

“Jacinda Ardern showed genuine support to the Muslim community, in part by wearing a hijab,” says Shorten. “So I thought a non-Muslim from Australia should also show their support in this way.”

The gesture, 6 weeks out from the federal election, has drawn a mixed reaction from Australia’s Muslim community, with many pointing out that Muslim men don’t often wear hijabs.

“Well, I believe that’s a sexist view,” says Shorten. “I wear my hijab with nothing but pride.”

The opposition leader has also accepted an offer from Waleed Aly to appear in a one on one interview on Channel TEN tonight.