Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott today said that he wished the burqa "was not worn" in the country, adding that he was against the idea of allowing the use of Muslim veil for women inside parliament.

Abbott added that Parliament House should be treated as a secure building.

"It is perfectly appropriate that in certain circumstances people be required to show their face. There can't be one rule for one form of attire and a different rule for another form of attire," he said.

"It has to be the same rules for everyone and if the rules require you to show your face, well you show your face," he said adding, "This is a secure building and it is important that people be able to be identified, it is important that people be able to be recognised as the people for whom a pass has been issued".

Abbott, however, noted that there was no record of the burqa ever being worn inside Parliament building. "Has anyone ever sought entry to this building so attired? As far as I am aware, no," he said.

"And making a big song and dance about a hypothetical situation I am not sure is particularly helpful. But I just want to stress that this is a secure building and it should be governed by the rules that are appropriate for a secure building and obviously people need to be identifiable in a secure building such as this," he said.