Charisa Bossinakis
Pauline Hanson refuses to take back her comment where she told Senator Mehreen Faruqi to ‘p*** off back to Pakistan’.
She has instead offered to drive her fellow Australian politician ‘to the airport’ so she can 'go back to where she came from'.
News.com.au reported that the One Nation leader has hit back at claims that she is racist after attacking Senator Faruqi on social media.
During a meeting in the Senate yesterday (Tuesday, September 27), the fiery politician defended her remarks, telling the Greens MP to return to her home country.
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“I didn’t refer to the Senator’s race or imply she had inferior characteristics due to her race or country of origin," she said.
“I only suggested that because she is so obviously unhappy in her adopted country with her privileged position, she should go back to Pakistan.”
The Senator continued: “As I have explained myself, I will not retract what I’ve told Senator Faruqi. She can do and go where I’ve what I’ve said. I make the offer also, to take her to the airport.”
Towards the end of her speech, Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John is reported to have yelled across the chamber, ‘you scumbag’.
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Pauline’s comments come after the One Nation leader condemned Senator Faruqi for her tweet following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The NSW Senator wrote on September 9: “Condolences to those who knew the Queen.
“I cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples.
“We are reminded of the urgency of Treaty with First Nations, justice & reparations for British colonies & becoming a republic.”
The Australian reported that a few hours later, Senator Hanson expressed her disgust over her commentary on the late monarch by tweeting: “Your attitude appals and disgusts me. When you immigrated to Australia you took every advantage of this country.
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“You took citizenship, bought multiple homes, and a job in a parliament. It’s clear you’re not happy, so pack your bags and p*** off back to Pakistan.”
Senate Leader Penny Wong was absolutely furious at Ms Hanson's refusal to backtrack the comments.
"I think they're appalling, and they're comments that have been levelled at me countless times since I arrived in this country, and I remember getting them as a kid in the schoolyard," Senator Wong said.
"Can I say to Senator Faruqi, we on this side do understand your grievance at the comment, and we understand why you are calling out such behaviour, and I pick up something that Senator Faruqi said in her contribution about how triggering this is.
"It's true, it is. It's triggering each time you hear it.
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"I'm the Senate leader, I still get triggered, and I wonder how it is for kids in the schoolyard who get the same thing."