Court Keeps Race Protection Law After Senator's Challenge

Australia's Federal Court ruled on July 27, 2026 that a law banning racially offensive or insulting conduct — Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act — is valid. Senator Pauline Hanson had argued the law conflicts with an unwritten constitutional protection for political speech. The judges disagreed. Hanson can still ask Australia's top court, the High Court, to hear an appeal.