Australian far-right politician Pauline Hanson failed to overturn a racial vilification ruling on Monday, July 27th, 2026, after she told Muslim Senator Mehreen Faruqi to "go back to Pakistan." Hanson, leader of the One Nation party, had appealed a 2024 Federal Court decision that found she breached the Racial Discrimination Act by responding to Faruqi's social media post with an "angry personal attack" deemed "anti-Muslim."

The incident dates back to 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Faruqi, a Pakistan-born Australian lawmaker and Greens senator, had expressed that she could not mourn the "leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised people." Hanson replied on social media, accusing Faruqi of taking advantage of Australia by gaining citizenship, buying multiple homes, and securing a parliamentary job, before telling her to "pack your bags and p*** off back to Pakistan."

Judge Angus Stewart ruled in 2024 that Hanson's post was "a variant of the slogan, 'go back to where you came from'," describing it as "a racist trope with a long history" that implicitly targeted Muslims. Hanson argued at the Federal Court that her communication was political and should be protected, but Justice Melissa Perry dismissed the appeal.

Outside court, Faruqi said, "Today's win is for every single person who has been made to feel that their belonging in this country is conditional." She added, "This case was always about holding to account racism and holding to account those who perpetrate racism."

Earlier in July 2026, Hanson denied advocating for a return of the "White Australia" policy—which historically banned non-white immigrants from 1901 to the 1970s—during a podcast with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Hanson expressed disappointment with the court's decision and indicated plans to review it with a view to appealing to the High Court of Australia.

Sources