Fairfax Media has revealed Mr Abbott's most senior advisor, Peta Credlin, expressed support for the ban when advising a government MP pushing for the headwear to be outlawed on how to better prosecute the argument without inflaming tensions.

The revelation comes ahead of a meeting in Canberra today between parliament's Presiding Officers and security officials, where a decision will be made on a request made by Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi to ban the burqa from being worn inside the building. Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi and Nationals MP George Christensen also holds the same view. 

Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan told Fairfax Media the campaign to ban the burqa from the building was a "pathetic attempt to whip up division" based on a "concocted problem" with the sole intent of "raising the temperature on an already difficult issue."

She said she had not once seen a burqa in Parliament House since her election in 2013, even when attending Islamic events. 

"The last thing we need to do is go down this backwater, claiming we've got hundreds of people roaming the corridors of parliament in burqas," Ms MacTiernan said.

"This is perhaps alarmingly close to the leadership; it would have to make you wonder if all these expressions to keep calm are as genuine as one would like to think they are."

Ms MacTiernan said she personally finds the burqa uncomfortable on the basis of women's rights but said that finding it did not justify a campaign to have it outlawed.

Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie, who is planning to introduce a private member's bill to ban the burqa in public places, welcomed reports of Ms Credlin's position.

"Everybody's starting to get on the bandwagon and not just Peta Credlin," Senator Lambie told reporters in Canberra.

"This needs to come down to the leadership of Tony Abbott and Tony Abbott needs to show some strength and courage under the circumstances and support my call for banning the burqa.

"It's something that needs to be discussed and it needs to be debated."

Two leading experts have raised doubts on any Commonwealth law to ban the burqa, saying it could violate Section 116 of the constitution which forbids the federal government from making laws that prohibit the free expression of religion.

Senator Lambie said wanted her bill to be ready when parliament resumes in fortnight.

Asked how she planned to ensure it would be constitutionally valid, Senator Lambie said: "I believe where there's a will there's a way."

"And if you believe it's better for the country now and the future and it's going to stop the divide then this is what we need to do."

SMH