An Australian court has rejected an appeal of a far-right leader, Pauline Hanson, to overturn a ruling that she racially discriminated against a Muslim senator by telling her to go back to Pakistan. It is unfortunate that some unscrupulous leaders now and then come up with remarks that tarnish the image of Australia.
A majority of Australians is not racist. Fewer countries go to the extent as does Australia to uphold the multi-cultural nature of its polity and society. Politics of far-right wings is a scourge to Australian society.
The very fact that Hanson has been held accountable for her misdemeanour speaks volumes.
On the other hand, there is no denying the fact that politicians like Hanson and her party One Nation make it to Parliament. It’s also a fact that Australia had lagged behind the European countries in opening up its immigration to non-white people. It happened under the Labour government led by the legendary leader, Gough Whitlam. Australia cannot afford to become complacent.
Incidents of racial vilification and the electoral success of anti-immigration politicians suggest that prejudice has by no means disappeared from public life. Critics argue that successive governments have at times failed to confront divisive rhetoric with sufficient resolve, allowing intolerance to seep into mainstream political discourse.
Shuja Pasha, Islamabad
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026