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Tony Abbott says he doesn't support banning the burqa, but admits he finds it "confronting" and wishes people wouldn't wear it.

Tony Abbott has expressed support for a push to ban the burqa from Parliament House on security grounds, prompting senior Liberal figures to distance themselves from the Prime Minister.

And with parliamentary officials expected to rule on a possible ban as soon as next week after receiving advice from security agencies, Mr Abbott's comments prompted a backlash from sections of the Muslim community.

The PM's chief of staff Peta Credlin has spoken of her support for a burqa ban at Parliament. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday Mr Abbott's most senior adviser, Peta Credlin, had told backbench MP and burqa critic George Christensen she also supported a ban in Parliament. Mr Christensen and South Australian senator Cory Bernardi have led the push to ban the garment in Parliament House.

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Rather than hauling the duo into line, Mr Abbott said he found the burqa a "fairly confronting form of attire and frankly I wish it weren't worn".

"We are free country, we are a free society and it's not the business of government to tell people what they should and shouldn't wear," he said, before adding he was unaware of any record of anyone attempting to enter Parliament wearing the garment.

Liberal party figures have distanced themselves from the PM on his burqa stance. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

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Liberals disagree with PM over burqa ban

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball says that based on Tuesdays cabinet shuffle Premier Paul Davis really needs to call an election.

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball Telegram file photo

What we have is a premier that was chosen by less than 400 people in the province, and now we have an unelected minister, Ball said. Right now this really speaks to instability in the province, so right now, I think, is the time to call a general election and get the mandate from the people of the province.

Up until now, Ball has been reticent to demand an election. Under legislation, Davis has up to one year to call an election from last week when he was sworn in.

However, by appointing lawyer Judy Manning as public safety minister, and announcing that Manning wont run in any of the three upcoming byelections instead, shell wait to run in the general election Davis is stretching the parliamentary tradition that an unelected minister should seek a seat in the legislature as soon as reasonably possible.

From a democracy point of view, I dont think it bodes well,Ball said. I think the people of the province, they want to have a say in who their elected officials would be.

New Democrat Leader Lorraine Michael echoed that sentiment.

Thats very problematic. I think it really doesnt show respect for our parliamentary process, she said. It disturbs me that this government is using its own political agenda in putting together a cabinet.

By not holding a seat in the legislature, Manning wont be able to answer questions from the opposition when the legislature opens. Shes the minister responsible for the justice system, fire and emergency services and the status of women.

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball Telegram file photo

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Liberals call for election after cabinet shuffle

Liberals and Conservatives raiding the EI fund again?
The Liberals and Conservatives teamed up to take more than $57 billion from the EI fund, money that was meant to pay for workers #39; benefits. Atlantic Canada i...

By: Robert Chisholm

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Liberals and Conservatives raiding the EI fund again? - Video

The Problem With Liberals and Conservatives (2 of 2)

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The Problem With Liberals and Conservatives (2 of 2) - Video

Not happy: Canberra Liberal Brendan Smyth says the government should reconsider its funding of the production. Photo: Rohan Thomson

A $19,000 ACT governmentgrant for a theatre production called Kill Climate Deniers is outrageous and must be reconsidered, the Canberra Liberals say.

The ACT Oppositionand right-wing commentator Andrew Bolt lined up to condemn the grant, part of the latest round of ArtsACT funding, calling it an outrage" and demanding the government reconsider its funding.

But ArtsACT director David Whitney said the authors had explicitly stated in their application they did not advocate or believe in violence of any kind, including for political reasons.

According to the description on the play's website, it is about a group of heavily armed eco-activists who break into a major Australian institution and hold the occupants hostage.

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It says in the play their demands are an immediate cessation of all carbon emissions and the immediate transformation of the Australian economy away from any reliance on fossil fuels.

"In short, what would it take to actually stop climate change, dead in its tracks? The answer is: guns. And lots of them," the website reads.

It comes after Ms Burch came under fire for allowing the Fringe Festival to include a performerin a Nazi-style uniform and wearing a Hitler moustache who stripped down to her underwear. ACT Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson called on Ms Burch to resign as minister after the incident.

Bolt said he didn't see how the ACT government could justify spending taxpayers' money on the latest production.

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Liberals outraged that 'Kill Climate Deniers' play is funded by the ACT government