Australian Court Rejects Pauline Hanson Appeal Over ‘Go Back to Pakistan’ Remark
By Editorial Desk | Team ChatZyr
Australia's Federal Court on Monday dismissed Senator Pauline Hanson's appeal against a racial vilification ruling, upholding a judgment over her 2022 social media post telling fellow senator Mehreen Faruqi to "go back to Pakistan."
The ruling affirms an earlier decision that found Hanson's comments breached Australia's racial discrimination laws because they were reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate and intimidate Faruqi, as well as Muslim Australians and people from migrant communities.
The dispute began after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Faruqi, a Pakistan-born Greens senator, posted that she could not mourn the "leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised people."
Hanson responded on social media, saying Faruqi had benefited from Australian citizenship, owned multiple homes and served in parliament before telling her to "pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan."
In 2024, the Federal Court ruled that Hanson's remarks amounted to a strong form of racism and violated Australia's anti-discrimination laws. Hanson appealed the decision, arguing that her comments did not breach the law and that the legislation itself was constitutionally invalid.
On Monday, the court rejected both arguments, leaving the original judgment in place.
Following the decision, Hanson said she had been angered by what she considered disrespect towards Queen Elizabeth II on the day of the monarch's death.
"I was incensed by the incredible disrespect that I felt was shown to our late Queen on the day of her death by Senator Faruqi and others," Hanson said.
"I simply wanted to call that out."
The ruling is viewed as a significant affirmation of Australia's racial discrimination laws and is expected to remain an important reference point in debates over free speech, racism and political discourse.
Hanson leads the right-wing One Nation party, which has recently gained support in opinion polls with policies advocating stricter immigration controls, reduced government spending and expanded free speech protections.
The decision comes as immigration, multiculturalism and freedom of expression continue to be key issues in Australian politics.
Published on ChatZyr.net
Written By Editorial Desk | Team ChatZyr
Disclaimer: This report is based on information obtained from credible and publicly available sources at the time of publication. Details may evolve as further official confirmations and investigations emerge.
