Twitter suspends Pauline Hanson for violating rules against abuse and harassment

"When the farmers have trouble getting the cattle up off the floor of the trucks, or in the cattle yards, they just touch them with this and they'll soon move; it doesn't matter how big the beast are, they will move with this," Senator Hanson, brandishing a cattle prod, says in a video. She tweeted a link to the video, prompting her suspension.

A twitter spokesperson said the company did not comment on individual accounts.

But it appears Senator Hanson's account has been limited, rather than suspended. Twitter's rules say accounts can be made temporarily read-only, limiting ability to tweet, retweet or like content "until calmer heads prevail".

Senator Hanson said she had appealed the action, which she characterised as "part of the ongoing efforts of the left to stop freedom of speech and silence anyone with whom they don't agree"

"This is just a concerted effort by the left to once again push for the censorship of conservative politicians and commentators, but I won't be silenced."

Senator Hanson pointed to what she said were a series of abusive tweets directed at her, with no action taken against their authors. One was a death threat. Others said they would like to see her break her neck climbing Uluru.

Senator Hanson posted a notice from Twitter saying her tweet had violated rules against abuse and harassment.

"You may not engage in the the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so. This includes wishing or hoping that someone experiences physical harm."

The notice says her account has been temporarily limited.

Senator Hanson accused Twitter of double standards, saying it had been "bullied by the left".

In the offending video, Senator Hanson suggests cattle prods should be given to police.

"How about if you need to get through the traffic, maybe take a loved one to hospital, or desperately need to get to your job, or something's happening, and the protestors are there? You know what I reckon the solution. Let's use one of these on them. I think they'll soon move," she says.

"Let's give the idea to Annastacia Palaszczuk; see if she's actually got the guts to give it to the police to actually start using these. I would."

Senator Hanson she had appealed the suspension, telling Twitter that tasers and cattle prods were low voltage and non-lethal.

Her spokesman said she was unable to access the account in any way.

Twitter has been reluctant to block the accounts of politicians, explaining on its website last year:

"Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.

"We review Tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly."