‘Bring it on’: Pauline Hanson to appeal Mehreen Faruqi racial discrimination ruling in high court

High Court grants appeal

The court will consider whether those comments breached the Racial Discrimination Act, or whether the federal court’s decision impeded Hanson’s implied freedom of speech. Hanson welcomed the decision on social media, saying the case was “bigger than me and bigger than one tweet”.

Lower court found discrimination

In November 2024, Justice Angus Stewart found Hanson’s tweet unlawful. He said it portrayed Faruqi as a “second-class citizen” who took advantage of Australia and, as a migrant, should be grateful and keep quiet.

Stewart rejected Hanson’s argument that Faruqi’s comments about the Queen justified her response. He also found the tweet was not protected by the fair comment exemption, describing it as an “angry, personal attack”.

Tweets and public responses

Faruqi’s tweet said she could not mourn the Queen, whom she described as leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth. She also called for a treaty with First Nations, justice and reparations for British colonies, and Australia to become a republic.

Hanson said freedom was under attack, including through Labor’s digital duty of care bill and its effect on lawful online debate. She also said people of colour, migrants and Muslims deserved protection from racism and vilification. A government spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment while the matter was before the court, adding that there was no place for racism or racial hatred in Australian society.