Pauline Hanson declares ‘criticism is not racism’ amid defamation fight

Pauline Hanson has declared “criticism is not racism” as she seeks cash donations for her defamation fight over her call for a Greens Senator to “piss off back to Pakistan”.

Pauline Hanson has declared “criticism is not racism” as she seeks cash donations for her defamation fight over her call for a Greens Senator to “piss off back to Pakistan.”

The One Nation leader has called for supporters to donate cash to a legal fighting fund as she prepares to defend the comments she made about deputy Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi.

Senator Faruqi has launched legal action against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over an “insulting and humiliating tweet” she made last year.

In a blog post that repeatedly misspelled Senator Faruqi‘s first name, Senator Hanson accused the Greens of trying to bankrupt her and kick her out of Parliament.

“The Greens are trying to silence me because I spoke out against their deputy leader, Meereen (sic) Faruqi, for her disgusting attack on Queen Elizabeth II, made on the very day of her passing,” Senator Hanson said.

“I’ll be blunt. The Greens are taking me to court because they want to bankrupt me and kick me out of parliament. But I won‘t let them.

“If they can silence me, they’ll be coming for you next, I refuse to let that happen.”

Pauline Hanson has declared ‘criticism is not racism’ as she seeks cash donations for her defamation fight over her call for a Greens Senator to ‘piss off back to Pakistan’.

Senator Hanson urged her supporters to rise up and take action by sending One Nation cash.

“I believe in free speech and the right to stand up for what we believe in. That‘s why I am asking you to donate what you can to help me defend myself against their attacks. Every dollar counts,’’ she said.

“Criticism is not racism.

“Together, we can show these bullies that we won‘t be silenced. We will stand up for our beliefs and fight for our democracy. Please consider donating today to help me continue to fight for you.”

The Greens senator claims Senator Hanson violated section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act when she told her to “piss off back to Pakistan” after Senator Faruqi shared her republican views in a tweet.

Section 18C makes it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate, or intimidate another person or group.

Senator Faruqi’s lawyers argue Senator Hanson’s tweet “did offend, insult, humiliate and intimidate” their client and “other people who share attributes” with her.

Senator Faruqi has launched legal action against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over an ‘insulting and humiliating tweet’ she made last year.

Her team have asked for the tweet to be deleted, and replaced with a pinned post on Senator Hanson’s Twitter for three months stating she “committed unlawful offensive behaviour”.

The lawyers are also requesting the court order Senator Hanson pay $150,000 to a charity chosen by Senator Faruqi, as well as ordering the One Nation leader attend anti-racism training.

Senator Faruqi said she was “drawing a line in the sand”.

“I’ve taken on bullies my whole life,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I believe that if you have the power to make positive change, you should use it for the benefit of the community.

“Senator Hanson cannot keep insulting and humiliating us without any serious consequences.”