Senate Sanctions Greens Senator Faruqi for Gaza Protest, No Action Against One Nation Senators

The Australian Senate sanctioned Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi for holding a sign protesting Israel's actions in Gaza during the opening of the 48th Parliament, describing her conduct as 'utterly disrespectful' and 'unparliamentary'. The motion, supported by Labor and the Coalition, banned her from participating in overseas parliamentary delegations for the remainder of the term and requested an apology, while opposition parties and some crossbenchers opposed the sanction. Faruqi condemned the Senate's response as targeting minority women and accused her colleagues of ignoring a genocide, emphasizing her commitment to speaking out for Palestine despite attempts to intimidate her. The sanction drew criticism for perceived double standards, as One Nation senators faced no penalties after turning their backs during the Acknowledgment of Country, an act condemned by Indigenous leaders as disrespectful. Government leaders defended the sanctions as necessary to uphold parliamentary decorum and democratic institutions, while Faruqi characterized her protest as a moral imperative against ongoing violence in Gaza. The controversy highlights tensions in the Senate over freedom of expression, minority representation, and responses to international conflicts.