Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is a “hypocrite” who is “only against certain forms of racism”, the federal court was told in her successful trial against Pauline Hanson.
Faruqi is suing Hanson over a comment he made on
During cross-examination on Monday morning, Ms Faruqi reiterated that she is against racism, but Ms Hanson’s powerful Seda Sue Chrysanthou SC argued that she is selective in her defence.
“I will tell her that she is a hypocrite and that she is only against certain forms of racism,” Ms Chrysanthou said.
He focused on social media posts made by Ms Faruqi’s son, Age journalist Osman Faruqi, which he told the court were offensive to white people.
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is a “hypocrite” who is “only against certain forms of racism”, the federal court said in its successful trial against Pauline Hanson.
Faruqi is suing Hanson over a comment he made on
One tweet said: “Mediocre white people should be in the trash, but instead they own everything and are everywhere.”
Asked if she thought the post constituted racism, Ms Faruqi said: “I don’t think so.”
—Don’t you consider it racist? Mrs. Chrysanthou asked again.
Ms Faruqi argued that racism “has to do with people’s ethnicity and skin colour”. “It’s about who has power in this country or anywhere else in the world.”
He added: “It is tied to who has the power and authority to perpetrate racism.” In this country, power is held by whites.”
But he accepted that critics often share that particular post on their own social media platforms and express anger over the sentiment.
Moments earlier, Ms Faruqi had again insisted that she opposes racism, “without qualifying” exactly what that means.
Mrs Chrysanthou said: “She redefined racism to include, apparently, only some minorities. It is difficult to understand that decision.
“I want to explore what she considers inappropriate racism or what is acceptable racism.”
Pictured: Mourners at Westminster Abbey following the Queen’s death.
Chrysanthou focused on social media posts made by Faruqi’s son, Age journalist Osman Faruqi (pictured), which he told the court were offensive to white people.
Judge Angus Stewart, who is presiding over the case, made reference to another high-profile case that is grappling with the definition of racism.
Matildas star Sam Kerr is currently fighting a charge of racially aggravated harassment in the UK.
He mentioned that the argument is growing, similar to what Ms. Faruqi said, that white people have the power in certain circumstances and therefore are not discriminated against based on race.
Ms Hanson’s defense rests on her belief that she made a “fair comment” in response to Ms Faruqi’s criticism of the Queen.
Just hours after the Queen’s death, Faruqi wrote: “My deepest condolences to those who knew the Queen.
‘I cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on lives, lands and wealth stolen from colonized peoples.
“We are reminded of the urgency of a treaty with First Nations, justice and reparations for the British colonies and becoming a republic.”
The back-and-forth began after the Queen’s death in September 2022.
Five hours later, Senator Hanson responded, saying Ms Faruqi should “pack her bags and go back to Pakistan”.
And he added: ‘Your attitude horrifies and disgusts me. When she emigrated to Australia, she took advantage of all the advantages of this country.
‘You got citizenship, bought several houses and a job in a parliament. It’s clear you’re not happy.
Hanson: ‘You got citizenship, bought several houses and a job in parliament. It’s clear you’re not happy, so pack your bags and go to Pakistan.
Chrysanthou maintains that the barrage of criticism Faruqi received was already underway when Hanson offered his opinion.
He said Faruqi faced backlash between 11am and around 4pm, when his staff appeared to limit comments on the post.
“As a person who had sincere and genuine affection for the Queen… Senator Hanson reacted to what she read and expressed her genuine opinion about Senator Faruqi’s conduct,” Ms Chrysanthou said.
“In expressing his opinion about Senator Faruqi’s conduct, my client gives examples of past conduct to emphasize his point, being that the tweet was appalling, disgusting and hypocritical.”
He said that by trying to ‘point out those three things, that the conduct was atrocious, disgusting and hypocritical, [Ms Hanson] he states the reasons why he has formed that opinion, which has classically explained the basis of the opinion, which is what a fair comment is.
‘A fair comment means an opinion based on facts.
“One of those facts is that, without a doubt, Senator Faruqi is an immigrant from Pakistan.”
But Chrysanthou said “the inclusion of that fact does not mean that is the reason” he made the post. The post, he maintains, was a direct reflection of Mrs Faruqi’s own comments about the Queen.
“Mere reference to someone’s background, color or race is not enough to prove that the act was done because of that factor,” he said.
The hearing continues