In brief
In a significant ruling, an Australian Federal Court upheld that Pauline Hanson violated the Racial Discrimination Act by directing a Muslim senator to "go back to Pakistan" in an online post. The judge confirmed the remarks as a long‑standing racist trope that specifically targeted a protected group. Senator Mehreen Faruqi, who highlighted the case as an indictment of racism in politics, welcomed the outcome, stating "Hate speech is not free speech." Hanson, who has a history of anti‑Muslim rhetoric, plans to appeal the decision to the High Court. The case underscores the boundaries between political commentary and unlawful hate speech in Australia.
In a landmark legal decision, the Australian Federal Court confirmed that Pauline Hanson breached the Racial Discrimination Act after a 2022 tweet directed a Muslim senator to "go back to Pakistan".
Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party, had previously appealed a 2024 ruling that deemed her reply to Senator Mehreen Faruqi’s post as an "angry personal attack" that crossed into anti‑Muslim hate speech. Justice Melissa Perry dismissed the appeal, upholding the lower court’s order for Hanson to delete the tweet and pay the senator legal costs.
"Today’s win is for every single person who has been made to feel that their belonging in this country is conditional," Faruqi said outside the court. "This case was always about holding to account racism and holding to account those who perpetrate it. Hate speech is not free speech," she added.
The incident unfolded on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022, when Faruqi offered condolences to mourners but also called out the legacy of colonialism. Hanson’s reply mirrored a stereotypical phrase that has been historically used to marginalise Muslims, prompting the judge’s strictures.
Springing from nationalist rhetoric, Hanson has long advocated for a “Muslim ban” on immigration and has faced criticism for statements suggesting some Muslims are "not good." She denied advocating for a return to Australia’s past white‑Australia policy during a podcast with British right‑wing activist Tommy Robinson.
Hanson has indicated that she and her legal team may appeal the decision to the High Court, a move that could further test the limits of political speech and hate‑speech boundaries within the Australian judiciary.
For audiences of metaworld.media, the court proceedings are available in virtual reality: viewers can navigate the Federal Court’s chambers, witness the judge’s reasoning, and interact with press releases in a digital environment that mirrors the physical courtroom. This immersive approach ensures media consumers experience the gravity of the ruling beyond the printed page.
