Democracy in Colour welcomes the Federal Court’s decision to uphold the racial discrimination finding against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
The court dismissed Hanson’s appeal on the ruling that found she breached the racial discrimination act against Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi on social media in September 2022.
“In recent years, hate speech has increasingly been normalised across Australian public life and political debate. Casual racism, hostile tropes, and divisive remarks are far too often dismissed as harmless rhetoric or political theater. This decision draws a clear boundary, demonstrating that racial abuse is not acceptable in our parliament or anywhere else in our community,” said Noura Mansour, National Director of Democracy in Colour.
“Hate speech is hate speech. When public figures use harmful slurs under the cover of free speech, it sends a dangerous signal that division is acceptable,” said Sarah Mohammed, DeCo Board Member. “Racism in parliament feeds racism in our neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces, and public spaces, and our community expects far better.”
Democracy in Colour calls on all political leaders and parties across Australia to reject racial vilification in all forms and hold political representatives to the highest standards of respect and accountability.