One Nation Leader demands public apology after an independent Senator labels her a “convicted racist” on national TV

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has issued a defamation warning to independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and the Nine Network following remarks made by Thorpe during an appearance on the Today show. Thorpe referred to Hanson as a “convicted racist,” prompting legal action from Hanson’s lawyers.

The defamation claims stem from an interview on Thursday morning, where Thorpe, in a heated discussion, called out Hanson for her controversial actions, including wearing a burqa in parliament and questioning the eligibility of Afghan-born Senator Fatima Payman. Thorpe added that Hanson regularly taunts her with racial comments. When asked about the comments, Thorpe clarified, “Senator Hanson gets away with so much she is a convicted racist.”

The term “convicted racist” is particularly contentious, as Hanson was earlier this month found to have made a racist remark towards Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, when she suggested Faruqi “pack her bags and go back to Pakistan.” However, this was a civil finding, not a criminal conviction, and Hanson has appealed the decision.

Hanson’s lawyer, Anthony Jefferies, quickly responded, sending a letter to Thorpe demanding she withdraw the statement and apologise for the “self-evidently false” claim. Jefferies also sent a similar letter to the Nine Network, which broadcasted Thorpe’s statement, calling it “highly irresponsible” to air the uncorrected allegation. He further demanded that Nine issue a public retraction and apology during Friday’s Today show.

In a statement issued later, the Nine Network clarified: “TODAY wishes to clarify that Senator Hanson has not been criminally convicted of racism, and any suggestion to the contrary is unequivocally withdrawn.”

Thorpe has yet to comment on the legal action, and SBS News has reached out to her office for a response.

The defamation dispute follows a tense day in the Senate the previous day, where Thorpe publicly clashed with Hanson over a motion concerning Senator Payman’s parliamentary eligibility. This confrontation, combined with Thorpe’s controversial claims, has amplified the ongoing political and personal tensions between the two senators.