Federal parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have united in condemning resurfaced comments by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who labelled Indigenous Australians the “most primitive race on Earth”. The remarks, made during a September 2025 podcast first reported by News24, have drawn sharp rebukes from Indigenous senators and government ministers.
Indigenous senators lead condemnation
Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, a Yanyuwa and Garrwa woman, described Hanson’s comments as “totally outrageous”. In a statement on Monday, McCarthy instructed 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,” McCarthy said. “But that’s just one part of Australia. The rest of the country is rich with First Nations culture.”
Opposition spokesperson Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who led the no campaign for the Indigenous voice to parliament, said Hanson’s comments showed “wilful ignorance” and had “dragged the conversation into appalling territory”. Price expressed disappointment, stating, “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.”
Hanson's comments and history
In the podcast, the 72-year-old One Nation leader complained about children learning about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. She described Indigenous Australians as the “most primitive race on earth” who had “achieved nothing”. Hanson has a long history of making controversial statements about Indigenous Australians.
Hanson also claimed in the podcast that she had asked Nampijinpa Price to join One Nation before the 2025 federal election, saying “she’s a better fit” with her party over the Liberals.
Cross-party calls for action
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe urged the Albanese government to focus on real action, including implementing the National Anti-Racism framework. Thorpe warned that Hanson would continue to spread “nasty, poorly informed and harmful ideas”.
“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,” Thorpe 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.”
Thorpe added, “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 suggested the federal government could include action to address racism in its recently-unveiled digital duty of care plan. The comments have placed Hanson once more at the centre of attention and ire from critics, following a string of high-profile slanging matches.
