By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Australia's High Court has agreed to hear One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's appeal against a ruling that she racially discriminated against Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in a 2022 social media post.
High Court grants special leave
The court granted special leave on Thursday after the Full Federal Court unanimously upheld a 2024 decision finding Hanson's tweet unlawful. The High Court will examine whether the comments breached the Racial Discrimination Act or if the lower court's decision impeded Hanson's implied freedom of speech.
Background of the case
The dispute began after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. Faruqi tweeted that she could not mourn the leader of a "racist empire built on stolen lives." Hanson replied: "Your attitude appalls and disgusts me... pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan."
In November 2024, Justice Angus Stewart ruled Hanson's tweet portrayed Faruqi as a "second-class citizen" and used a "racist trope." The judgment was upheld by three Federal Court judges in July 2025.
Reactions from both sides
Hanson welcomed the High Court decision, stating the case was "bigger than me and bigger than one tweet" and that Australians must be able to speak their minds without being "frightened into silence."
Faruqi responded with "Bring it on," saying the highest court can now determine that people of colour, migrants and Muslims deserve to feel safe and protected against vilification.
Government response
A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act remains vital for social cohesion, adding the government's position is clear: there is no place for racism in Australian society.
