Burqa ban backdown win for extremists: Lambie

Palmer United Palmer senator Jacqui Lambie has claimed the government's burqa ban backdown will make extremists "smile".

The policy, originally established by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and Senate President Stephen Parry earlier this month, was overturned this morning.

It would have forced women wearing face coverings such as the niqab or burqa to sit in a separate enclosed public gallery.

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott asked Ms Bishop to withdraw the policy.

Parliament's new security rules will instead require all visitors to identify themselves on entry to the building.

Ms Lambie said the reversal would "attack the morale" of the Australian Defence Force, News Corp has reported.

She vowed to press ahead with a private members bill to ban the burqa from being worn in public.

"To the Islamic extremists, today’s decision will prove how weak and indecisive we have become as a nation and how our PM lacks the courage of his convictions when it comes to Australia’s national security," she said.

Ms Lambie's extreme stance on Muslim facial coverings has previously attracted criticism.

She was blasted after sharing a "Ban the burqa" photo showing a woman wearing the distinctive garment, holding a pistol.

However, it late emerged the woman in the photo was Afghanistan's first female police officer, Lieutenant Colonel Malalai Kakar.

Kakar, a prominent women's rights figure, was killed by the Taliban in 2008.