To: The Hon Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, and the Parliament of Australia

We, the undersigned, call on the Australian Government to take a clear stand against racism, hate speech, and divisive conduct within our national institutions — including the Senate.

Recent actions by Senator Pauline Hanson, including her decision on 24 November 2025 to repeat a deeply offensive stunt involving the Islamic burqa in the Australian Senate, have reignited concerns about her continued use of public office to target, mock, and vilify Muslim Australians.

This is not an isolated incident. Senator Hanson has a long history of rhetoric that marginalises and stigmatises ethnic and religious communities — including past statements about Asians, Aboriginal Australians, and now Muslims. Her conduct fuels division, emboldens hate, and undermines the safety and dignity of millions of Australians.

Why This Matters

Australia prides itself on being a multicultural, inclusive, and respectful democracy. Our elected officials must reflect and uphold these values.

Under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, it is unlawful to commit an act that is likely to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” another person or group because of their race, colour, or national or ethnic origin. While statements in Parliament are protected by privilege, they still have powerful real-world effects.

When high-profile politicians engage in racially divisive actions, it:

• Legitimises harmful stereotypes,
• Encourages public hostility towards vulnerable groups,
• Undermines social cohesion, and
• Diminishes trust in our political system.

A Call for Responsible Leadership

Australian taxpayers expect their contributions to support a Parliament that protects and serves all Australians, regardless of faith, ethnicity, or background.

It is unacceptable for public funds — collected through the hard work of everyday Australians — to be used to pay the salary of any Senator who spreads racism, division, or hate, including Senator Pauline Hanson. Her repeated targeting of Muslim Australians, through public stunts and inflammatory statements, puts lives at risk and undermines Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism and social harmony.

We do not accept that our taxes should be used to fund this behaviour. Taxpayer money must not support politicians who abuse their platform to incite fear or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

The government has a duty of care to ensure that elected representatives uphold the values of respect, equality, and safety for all. When those values are ignored — and the government fails to act — it erodes public trust and signals tolerance for racism at the highest levels of power.

We urge the Prime Minister and Parliament to take decisive action: to condemn and hold accountable any elected official who violates the spirit of our anti-racism laws and damages the fabric of our nation.

Australian Taxpayers Should Not Fund Hate

As of 2025, Australian taxpayers paid over $240,000 per year to Senator Pauline Hanson. We, the Australian people, do not want our taxes to fund hate, racism, or incitement.

Using public money to pay the salary of a politician who repeatedly spreads division, ridicules religious practices, targets minority communities and put lives of Australians in danger due to their actions is completely unacceptable in a democratic and multicultural nation.

We pay taxes so our government can protect all Australians, not to support public figures who make them feel unsafe.

We respectfully call on the Prime Minister and the Parliament to:

1. Publicly condemn racially divisive and Islamophobic conduct by any elected official, including Senator Pauline Hanson;
2. Investigate whether Senator Hanson’s actions breach any Parliamentary Code of Conduct or federal anti-vilification laws outside the scope of parliamentary privilege;
3. Reform parliamentary standards so that hate speech — even within Parliament — triggers real-world accountability;
4. Introduce policy or legal measures that allow for a review of public funding and privileges for politicians who promote hate or racism.
    

A Matter of National Safety and Cohesion

Australia is home to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and ethnicities. The role of Parliament is to protect that diversity — not to allow it to be mocked, degraded, or vilified.

If the government refuses to act against hate, it erodes public trust and sends the message that racism has a place in Australian politics. This is not acceptable.

Sign Now

If you believe that:

• All Australians deserve to live free from hate and fear,
• Public office should be held to the highest ethical standards,
• Taxpayer money should not fund those who spread division,

Then sign this petition. Add your voice. Hold our leaders accountable.

Together, we demand a Parliament that reflects the values of the people — not one that tolerates or funds hate.