The Nationals have voted down a motion to ban the burqa and other facial coverings in government buildings and other public spaces.

North Queensland federal MP George Christensen, who brought the motion to the federal conference, argued it was needed for security reasons but also noted the party was “bleeding to the right” on issues such as this.

The motion was defeated 55-51 by a vote of delegates at the conference in Canberra.

Christensen claimed facial coverings raised safety concerns, citing evidence from a number of incidents overseas and in Australia.

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