Pauline Hanson race discrimination threat to Korean-origin Brisbane councillor Emily Kim

A top barrister says a threat by Pauline Hanson to take a Brisbane councillor, whose family is Korean, to the Human Rights Commission for calling her racist is “bizarre’’.

Pauline Hanson is suing Brisbane councillor Emily Kim, who is of Korean origin, for racial discrimination over an election email. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Firebrand One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is taking legal action for alleged racial discrimination against Brisbane councillor, whose family is from Korea, after she emailed constituents urging them not to vote for the party or the LNP.

Ironically, the federal court ruled on November 1 that Ms Hanson had racially vilified

the Greens’ Mehreen Faruqi by telling the Pakistani-born senator to go back to her homeland.

Leading barrister Tony Morris, KC, has gone into bat for Calamvale councillor Emily Kim and described the legal threat as “bizarre’’.

Ms Kim, Queensland’s first politician of Korean origin, emailed a plea to several thousand people, on Queensland Labor letterhead, under the headline: “Disgusting: LNP preferences racists like One Nation over hardworking locals’’.

The email attacked the LNP for not preferencing One Nation last at the state election.

“Frankly, I was shocked that the LNP was recommending that locals vote for the racist One Nation party ahead of our local (Stretton) MP James Martin,’’ it read.

“We’ve all known James for years. He’s a strong supporter of our multicultural community.

“Earlier this year, One Nation reiterated their view that Australia is “in danger of being swamped by Asians”.

Pauline Hanson is suing Brisbane councillor Emily Kim, who is of Korean origin, for racial discrimination over an election email. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“When you vote, it is important we tell the LNP in Stretton that working with racist parties like Pauline Hanson’s One Nation in the most diverse suburbs of Brisbane aren’t (sic) good for our future generations.’’

Ms Kim said she was offended by the legal demand, but Ms Hanson did not have a right to be offended by her email.

“I think it’s an attack on free speech. She’s using the party’s funds to silence opponents,’’ she said.

“I will never back down. I love Australia as well, I was born here and I really love free speech.

“I’m an Australian and Pauline can’t tell me this isn’t my home too.’’

Ms Hanson’s lawyers sent a letter to Ms Kim the day before the state election demanding she take out half-page ads in The Courier-Mail and The Australian apologising for her actions.

If she refused they would lodge complaints with the Queensland Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission.

Part of the email sent out by Ms Kim.

“Your remarks are without foundation and shows racial vilification and bias as (sic) against the senator and her political party,’’ the legal demand from Connect Law said.

It said the email had caused Ms Hanson “distress and personal upset’’.

Mr Morris, who was representing Ms Kim on a no-fee basis, pointed out Ms Kim was only 24 and a new councillor.

He questioned if it was an attempt to silence Mr Kim as “One Nation could only get elected with preferences (from other parties)’’.

“The Queensland Ombudsman has limited statutory powers relating to government agencies.

“The Human Rights Commission threat is even more bizarre as it deals with serious discriminatory conduct and there’s no discrimination here at all.’’

Mr Morris noted that Ms Hanson’s lawyers had not sent Ms Kim a concerns notice, the first step required before suing for defamation.