Wearing a burqa, hijab or niqab in a public place in Australia would be a criminal offence and could attract a fine of up to $68,000 under a new bill proposed by Jacqui Lambie.

The Palmer United Party senator put forward a draft bill on Tuesday highlighting the need for the ban on the grounds of security and assimilation, warning Australia risked being laughed at by its ‘enemies’.

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Any person wearing an “identity concealing garment” in public would be charged on the spot and handed a fine of up to $3,400 “similar to way traffic infringements are handled by police”.

Under the proposal, those who force or intimidate other adults or children into wearing concealing garments would face harsher fines of up to $68,000 and possible jail terms of up to 12 months.

“For security reasons and the need for assimilation, identity-concealing garments should not be allowed in Australian public or Parliament House,” Ms Lambie said.

“Once again, our enemies will laugh at us. France, Belgium and Turkey (an Islamic country) have all sorted this problem out. So can Australia.”

“All it requires is some simple legislation, some courage and pride in the Australian culture.”

Despite Ms Lambie’s suggestion headwear is a national security issue, an ASIO repot says banning the burqa would inflame tensions and be predominantly negative.

The 2011 report says banning religious garments would have negative implications, “including increased tensions and distrust between communities, and providing further fuel for extremist propaganda, recruitment, and radicalisation efforts”.

“The security implications of any such ban are likely to be predominantly, if not wholly, negative.”

– with AAP