‘I live rent free in Hanson’s mind’: Furious Fatima Payman uses Senate to accuse Pauline Hanson of racism

A furious Fatima Payman has used the Senate to accuse Pauline Hanson of “vile” racism before being forced to withdraw, after Senator Hanson repeatedly questioned whether Senator Payman was eligible to sit in parliament.

Senator Payman spoke after the One Nation senator attempted to table a document raising Senator Payman’s possible Afghan citizenship as a reason for her to be excluded from parliament under Section 44c of the constitution.

Section 44c prevents anyone holding a citizenship of another country from sitting in parliament, however Senator Payman has previously sought legal advice confirming she has taken all possible steps to renounce her Afghan citizenship, which the Taliban-controlled state has not finalised, and so can stand as a senator.

Senator Payman used the Senate to say Senator’s Hanson’s behaviour was racist.

“Senator Hanson has worn the burqa in this place. Maybe it’s time she pack her burqa and go to Afghanistan and talk to the Taliban about this,” Senator Payman said.

“All that Senator Hanson has done in this place is spread hatred, spread division.

“I am very honoured that I live rent free in Senator Hanson’s mind, but I think you’ve got better things to do than worry about Section 44.”

The senator listed several previous comments by Senator Hanson, including her first speech in which Senator Hanson said Australia was “in danger of being swamped by Asians” and that “Aboriginality would no longer exist” under One Nation.

“If that is not racist, what is it?” the senator shouted to Senator Hanson, who was sitting in front of her.

Senator Payman made note in the chamber that last week Senator Hanson was found to have racially vilified Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in a tweet where she wrote the senator should “piss off back to Pakistan”.

“You’re not just vindictive, mean, nasty, you bring disgrace to the human race. No dignity whatsoever as a senator,” a furious Senator Payman said.

“We’re supposed to have that freedom of expression, yes, but within boundaries and confines of respect.

“I kept on giving you the benefit of the doubt, Senator Hanson, despite your repetitive attempts to be racist to anyone who does not look like you,” Senator Payman said, before bing forced to withdraw her remarks.

Senator Faruqi and Senator Lidia Thorpe on Monday called for an inquiry into racism in parliament, following the court’s ruling against Senator Hanson.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said Senator Hanson had the right to table a document in the chamber, even if the government or Senate disagreed with it.