Pauline Hanson loses appeal over racial discrimination tweet against Mehreen Faruqi
Consensus Summary
Federal Court justices upheld a November 2024 ruling that Pauline Hanson racially discriminated against Mehreen Faruqi in a September 2022 tweet telling her to 'pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan'. The tweet was posted on the day Queen Elizabeth II died, and Justice Angus Stewart initially found it 'seriously offensive' and intimidating. Hanson’s appeal, which included 434 paragraphs of arguments, was dismissed on Monday in November 2024. Both sources agree the ruling confirmed Hanson’s tweet targeted immigrants, people of colour, and Muslims, though the ABC notes additional details about Hanson’s defense and Faruqi’s broader statements on hate speech normalization. Hanson expressed disappointment and hinted at a High Court appeal, while Faruqi celebrated the decision as a victory against racism.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Pauline Hanson tweeted in September 2022 that Mehreen Faruqi should 'pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan'
- The tweet was made on the day Queen Elizabeth II died
- Federal Court upheld the November 2024 ruling that Hanson breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act
- Justice Angus Stewart found Hanson’s tweet was 'seriously offensive' and intimidating in September 2022
- The appeal judgment was delivered on Monday in November 2024
- Hanson did not appear in court for the appeal judgment
- The ruling included 434 paragraphs dismissing Hanson’s appeal
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hanson’s tweet was described as 'anti-Muslim or Islamophobic' by Justice Stewart
- Hanson argued she did not know Faruqi was Muslim, but the court ruled it was 'overwhelmingly probable' she did
- Faruqi stated Hanson’s racism had harmed people over the last three decades
- Hanson referenced the '2022 tweet' in her response to the judgment
- The ruling confirmed Hanson’s tweet targeted 'immigrants, people of colour, and Muslims'
- Faruqi called the decision a 'landmark' and a 'warning for people like Pauline Hanson'
- Hanson argued Stewart’s decision raised alarm about freedom of speech being under threat
- The case was described as a 'test case' for Faruqi and Hanson’s claims
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Hanson launched the appeal in November, while the ABC does not specify when the appeal was launched but notes the November 2024 ruling was upheld
Source Articles
Pauline Hanson loses bid to overturn Mehreen Faruqi racial discrimination finding
Judges find in Faruqi’s favour after One Nation leader launched an appeal against judgement she had breached Racial Discrimination Act Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A court has upheld the finding that Pauline Hanson engaged in racial discrimination against Mehreen Faruqi when she tweeted the Greens senator should “pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan”. The One Nation leader launched the appeal in Novemb
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson loses an appeal against a court ruling which found she racially discriminated against Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi.