The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) faced criticism for airing an untrue statement made by Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who called One Nation leader Pauline Hanson a “convicted racist” on live television. The broadcaster has since retracted the claim after failing to correct the error at the time of the broadcast.
Lidia Thorpe False Accusation
The incident occurred during a segment on an ABC television news show, when Senator Thorpe accused Senator Hanson of being a “convicted racist” in connection with a legal dispute between Hanson and Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. The claim was widely criticized as inaccurate and misleading.
At the heart of the controversy is a 2022 tweet by Senator Hanson, in which she told Faruqi to “piss off back to Pakistan” following Faruqi’s comments about the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Faruqi argued that Hanson’s remark was racially discriminatory, leading her to file a legal complaint under the Racial Discrimination Act.
However, the court ruling that sided with Faruqi did not involve a criminal conviction. The case was civil, and Hanson was not found guilty of racism toward her opponent. While the Federal Court ruled that Hanson’s comment was discriminatory, it was clear that the court did not conclude that Hanson had explicitly targeted Faruqi based on her race.
Lidia Thorpe affirmation. youtube screenshot.
The Legal Case
The legal dispute began when Senator Faruqi took Hanson to court over the tweet, which came on the day of the Queen’s death. In her tweet, Hanson responded to Faruqi’s comments about the monarch, which criticized the British Empire’s legacy. Hanson’s response, “piss off back to Pakistan,” was seen by Faruqi as an example of racial vilification.
The Federal Court ruled that Hanson’s words breached the Racial Discrimination Act, a decision that prompted Hanson to file an appeal. The case was not a criminal matter, and Hanson was not “convicted” in any legal sense. The ruling only found that her words could be interpreted as racially discriminatory under the civil law, but it did not state that Hanson’s comment was overtly racist in nature.
Hanson has strongly contested the ruling, arguing that the interpretation of her words by the court went beyond what she actually said. Legal experts have pointed out that the Racial Discrimination Act was not designed to govern the type of language used in this case, and that the court may have overstepped in its interpretation.
Law Misapplication Claim
In her defense, Hanson maintains that she did not intend to make a racially charged comment and that the legal framework used to assess her statement was flawed. The court’s decision, she argued, was based on an interpretation of her tweet that read into her words meanings that were not present.
“This ruling should raise alarm bells for all Australians who value free speech. It’s not about what I said—it’s about how people’s words can be misinterpreted in a way that punishes them for expressing an opinion,” Hanson said in a statement after the decision.
ABC Retraction
The ABC’s airing of Thorpe’s inaccurate statement went unchallenged during the live broadcast, prompting immediate backlash from Hanson’s supporters and many in the public. The broadcaster later issued a retraction of the “convicted racist” label, acknowledging that it had failed to correct the error at the time.
This raised questions about the ABC’s editorial standards, with critics accusing the broadcaster of being negligent in its reporting. The ABC has not explained why it did not intervene when the claim was made, leading to further concerns about media accountability.
Public Reaction and Free Speech Debate
The legal case and the controversy surrounding the ABC’s broadcast ignited a broader debate about free speech and the role of the media in reporting political disputes. Many Australians, particularly from conservative and right-wing circles, but also from the left, view the Racial Discrimination Act as a threat to free expression. Some have called for a repeal of the law, arguing that it stifles open debate and the right to criticize others.
“Are we now living in a country where you can’t even speak your mind without fear of legal consequences?” asked one commentator, echoing widespread concerns over the impact of the law on political discourse.
Pauline Hanson has been vocal in her criticism of the legal ruling, saying it represents an attack on Australians’ right to express their opinions freely.
Political Fallout
The dispute between Hanson and Faruqi intensified existing divisions within Australian politics, with some commentators accusing the ABC of bias in its coverage of the case. Others questioned why the broadcaster failed to challenge the false claim during the live segment.
Meanwhile, Senator Lidia Thorpe has not yet commented publicly on the ABC’s retraction, but her remarks continue to fuel discussions about the limits of free speech and the role of public figures in shaping political debates.
Hanson’s legal battle over the tweet is far from over. As she appeals the court’s decision, the case continues to generate heated debate about the application of the Racial Discrimination Act and the broader implications for freedom of speech in Australia.
Conclusion
The ABC’s failure to correct Senator Thorpe’s false claim, combined with the ongoing legal case, brought the issues of free speech, media responsibility, and the Racial Discrimination Act to the forefront of Australian politics. As the appeal process continues, the public’s appetite for reform or repeal of the controversial law shows no sign of waning, while the media’s role in ensuring accurate reporting remains a key issue for many Australians.
Additional Notes:
- The case involving Pauline Hanson and Mehreen Faruqi is part of a broader debate about how Australian laws deal with racial vilification and political speech.
- The ABC’s retraction and the ongoing fallout from the Lidia Thorpe incident may affect future media coverage of politically sensitive issues in the country.
Senator Lidia Thorpe in Federal Parliament. Youtube
