One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has secured a significant legal victory, with the High Court agreeing to hear her appeal challenging racial discrimination laws. The case stems from a social media dispute with Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi.
The High Court granted Hanson special leave to appeal, initiating a legal examination of whether key provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act improperly burden Australia's implied freedom of political communication. This decision revives a legal dispute originating from an exchange on X in September 2022, shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Senator Faruqi had posted condolences but also stated she could not mourn "the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples." In response, Hanson wrote, "Your attitude appalls and disgusts me. When you immigrated to Australia you took every advantage of this country. You took citizenship, bought multiple homes, and a job in a parliament. It's clear you're not happy, so pack your bags and p*** off back to Pakistan."
Senator Faruqi initiated legal action in 2023, alleging Hanson's post contravened section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. In 2025, Federal Court Justice Angus Stewart found Hanson had violated the law, ruling that the post portrayed Senator Faruqi as a "second-class citizen" and that the phrase "piss off back to Pakistan" echoed the racist trope "go back to where you came from." Justice Stewart rejected Hanson's argument that her comments were protected political speech, deeming the Act's provisions compatible with the Constitution.
Hanson's subsequent appeal to the Full Federal Court was unanimously rejected in July. The High Court's decision to hear her appeal represents a new phase in the legal battle.
Following the High Court's decision, Hanson framed the case as a broader defense of free speech in Australia. "This case has always been bigger than me and bigger than one tweet," Hanson stated on social media. "Australians must be able to speak their minds, question their government and disagree with each other without being frightened into silence."
Senator Faruqi responded to the High Court's decision, vowing to continue defending legal protections against racial vilification. "This has been a long, hard road, walked alongside everyone who's been targeted by racism. We won't be backing down now," she said in a statement. She emphasized that the case is about ensuring Australians are protected from racial abuse and that "people of colour, migrants and Muslims deserve to feel safe in the place they call home."