Paul Hogan, the star of 'Crocodile Dundee', has reportedly called Australian senator Pauline Hanson a 'pelican' after she cited him as an exemplar of 'Australian monoculture'. The comment came in response to Hanson's Senate speech on Wednesday, where she advocated for a return to figures like Hogan and Norman Gunston as essential features of an inclusive monoculture.
Hogan's Response from Venice Beach
Tracked down by the Australian Financial Review to Venice Beach, California, Hogan said: 'She's a pelican, yeah.' He added that Hanson 'sounds very much like this stupid boofhead over here, Trump.' Hogan's choice of 'pelican' as an insult has a history in Australian slang, notably used in the 1986 film 'Crocodile Dundee' when his character tells a New York driver: 'Get on the right side of the road, ya pelican!' The term is also used by actor Russell Crowe and has roots in Shakespeare's 'King Lear', where 'pelican daughters' symbolize greed.
What Does 'Pelican' Mean?
The Australian National Dictionary does not have a specific entry for 'pelican', but online consensus suggests it means a fool or clown, based on the bird's perceived ungainly appearance. However, BirdLife Australia describes pelicans as 'highly mobile' and cooperative, soaring up to 3,000 meters—qualities that could be positive for a politician. Despite this, Hogan's intent was clearly not complimentary.
Hogan on Multiculturalism
Hogan also criticized Hanson's monoculture concept, stating: 'She's living in the past, obviously. How can [Australia] be a monoculture? We're all migrants, except the Aboriginals, who as far as we know have been [in Australia] for 60,000 years.' He added: 'I want to die in Australia—in a multicultural Australia!' This directly counters Hanson's push for a monoculture, which she introduced at this month's National Press Club address.
Political Context
Hanson's monoculture remarks have sparked debate across Australian politics. The One Nation leader's attempt to define 'Australian monoculture' has been met with criticism, and Hogan's intervention adds a pop-culture twist. The pelican insult, whether Shakespearean or slang, fuels Hanson's publicity machine, but Hogan's broader message emphasizes Australia's multicultural identity.
