Federal parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have joined in condemning resurfaced comments by Pauline Hanson as “nasty” and “derogatory”, after she labelled Indigenous Australians the “most primitive race on Earth”.
The Indigenous affairs minister, Malarndirri McCarthy, a Yanyuwa and Garrwa woman, described the One Nation senator’s comments as “totally outrageous” while her opposition counterpart, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said Hanson’s comments showed “wilful ignorance” and had “dragged the conversation into appalling territory”.
Meanwhile, the independent senator Lidia Thorpe urged the Albanese government to focus on real action, including implementing the national anti-racism framework, warning Hanson won’t stop spreading “nasty, poorly informed and harmful ideas”.
The comments place Hanson once more in the centre of attention, and ire from critics, following a string of high-profile slanging matches.
In a September ۲۰۲۵ podcast, and first reported by News۲۴, Hanson complained about children learning about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
The ۷۲-year-old One Nation leader, who has a history of making controversial statements about Indigenous Australians, said they were the “most primitive race on earth” and had “achieved nothing”.
On Monday, McCarthy shot back at the comments, instructing Hanson to apologise to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander constituents she represents as a senator for Queensland.
“There is rich history in this country and you only have to travel to places like the Great Barrier Reef, to Cape York, to see incredible cultural significance. Dance, songs and stories,” she said.
“But that’s just one part of Australia. The rest of the country is rich with First Nations culture.”
Price, who was the face of the Indigenous voice to parliament’s no campaign, said she was disappointed by the comments, and was sure it would be condemned by all decent Australians.
“Some of the issues raised by Pauline Hanson are serious debates, many of which I have been very vocal about, but yet again, Senator Hanson has dragged the conversation into appalling territory,” she said.
“Senator Hanson’s statement asking, ‘What the hell have they done in this country?’ is a demonstration of wilful ignorance on her part and reveals her complete failure to understand Australia’s First Peoples.”
Hanson claimed in the podcast that she had asked Price to join One Nation before the ۲۰۲۵ federal election, saying “she’s a better fit” with her party over the Liberals.
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Thorpe said most Australians knew the comments were “simply false”.
“For thousands of generations, First Peoples have cared for this continent, developed sophisticated systems of lore, knowledge, agriculture, land management, science and art, and maintained rich living cultures that continue today,” she said.
“First Peoples’ ancient knowledge of this continent is something we want to share with everyone, to bring this country together. But Hanson is only interested in division.
“Before spreading these stereotypes, Hanson should consider the real harm she does to people.
“But I don’t really care about trying to change her mind. We know she won’t change. She will continue to spread nasty, poorly informed and harmful ideas to rally her base and divide this country.”
Thorpe said the federal government could include action to address racism in its recently unveiled digital duty of care plan.
Hanson responded to criticism on social media: “The media is in a tailspin again today about comments made a year ago on this podcast. Have a look. You be the judge.”
