{"id":891515,"date":"2026-09-14T09:16:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T09:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/891515\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T09:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T09:16:12","slug":"indigenous-leaders-condemn-pauline-hanson-for-primitive-race-remarks-on-first-nations-australians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/891515\/","title":{"rendered":"Indigenous leaders condemn Pauline Hanson for &#8216;primitive race&#8217; remarks on First Nations&#8217; Australians"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has drawn widespread criticism over resurfaced comments in which she called Indigenous Australians &#8220;the most primitive race on Earth&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has condemned Senator Hanson for &#8220;derogatory&#8221; and &#8220;completely racist&#8221; remarks, calling on her to apologise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Asked last year on the conservative-leaning Jamie J podcast about schoolchildren learning Indigenous history in classrooms, Senator Hanson said it was a &#8220;complete waste of time&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">She claimed that a teacher had contacted her about a change in curriculum, where instead of being taught about Australian history and civil rights, students were learning about Aboriginal culture and language.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;And I&#8217;ll say it on your program, what the hell have they done in this country? You know, supposedly 60,000 years, they&#8217;d never invented the wheel,&#8221; she said last September.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;There was nothing there. What are we actually holding up? A few, you know, rock paintings.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;Sorry they&#8217;re the most primitive race on Earth and we&#8217;re supposed to be holding them up and saying what they&#8217;ve achieved. They&#8217;ve achieved nothing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A close up photo of Malarndirri McCarthy\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/13f207b7b7edd88294bb66175eb90a35.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Malarndirri McCarthy has criticised remarks by Pauline Hanson, calling on her to apologise to First Nations Australians. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Senator McCarthy called out the Queensland senator for the remarks, which she labelled divisive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It&#8217;s totally outrageous, completely racist, but also divides our country in a way that we do not want to see happen right here in Australia,&#8221; she told reporters in Canberra.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I do believe that as all Australians, we have to stand up and stand out against such divisive commentary, no matter whether it&#8217;s on a comic, cartoon show or whether it&#8217;s on a podcast.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is not the Australia I know, it is not the Australia I want to see, and I call on all Australians to condemn such commentary.&#8221;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2026-09-13\/albanese-hits-back-at-hanson-over-mother-public-housing-comments\/107147902\" data-component=\"FullBleedLink\" class=\"RelatedCard_link__rsgR9 FullBleedLink_root__lTw_U interactive_focusContext__yRhc_ interactive_defaults__AKxUU FullBleedLink_showVisited__g3Xvz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PM defends late mother<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP RelatedCard_synopsis__cFwMW Typography_sizeMobile14__u7TGe Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Anthony Albanese has fiercely defended his late mother against criticism by Pauline Hanson, who has been called on to apologise for her remarks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Senator McCarthy said as a Yanyuwa Garrwa woman she was personally impacted by the comments and wanted to reassure First Nation Australians that the government stood with them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I&#8217;m here, I&#8217;m with you, and I totally reject the comments by Senator Hanson,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">She said Senator Hanson&#8217;s constituents deserved &#8220;an absolute apology&#8221; and it was up to the Senate to decide whether she would face any consequences.<\/p>\n<p>Indigenous leaders denounce &#8216;false claims&#8217;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Liberal senator Kerrynne Liddle labelled the remarks &#8220;disgraceful&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;One Nation&#8217;s platform of degrading Indigenous Australians is ignorant and does nothing to build our nation,&#8221; she told the ABC.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I do think the curriculum needs to reflect our whole history but Pauline Hanson went low to unfair, unnecessary and unacceptable insult.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who Senator Hanson previously asked to stand for One Nation, also expressed her &#8220;disappointment&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;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,&#8221; she said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is a demonstration of wilful ignorance on her part, and reveals her complete failure to understand Australia&#8217;s First Peoples.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Woman in black blazer and green shirt stands against white wall\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/02f46a2957b6540a157d49654066a211.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is among the Indigenous leaders &#8216;disappointed&#8217; by Senator Hanson&#8217;s remarks. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe echoed the sentiments, labelling them &#8220;false claims&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;We have generations, thousands of generations of knowledge of this country. We are the first scientists, agriculturalists; we maintained and sustained our land and our water and our totems for thousands of generations and we are still continuing to do that,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;So that is completely false and it is unfortunate that Senator Hanson is putting up that narrative.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Indigenous author and human rights activist Thomas Mayo believes Australians do not share Senator Hanson&#8217;s view that Indigenous Australians are &#8220;primitive&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;Many Australians have learnt that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples built sophisticated systems of law, governance, culture, trade, and land management over tens of thousands of years,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;We have survived invasion, dispossession and every attempt to erase us. We are still here and will always remain in the rich tapestry of Australian identity.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Thomas Mayo speaks during an interview.\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/f060c9ccaed8b9de8a70ff957590b990.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Thomas Mayo says Indigenous Australians remain part of the &#8220;rich tapestry of Australian identity&#8221;. (ABC News)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Labor senator Jana Stewart, the youngest Aboriginal woman to serve in federal parliament, said the rhetoric had been used by One Nation for decades and was reached for &#8220;every time it runs out of ideas&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our mob know exactly who we are, and One Nation does not get to define us,&#8221;  Senator Stewart said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing brave about turning Australians against each other. It&#8217;s the most primitive politics there is, and every Australian should reject it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Politicians condemn Hanson&#8217;s comments<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Julian Leeser said &#8220;belittling Indigenous culture attacks part of what makes Australia great&#8221; as he called on all elements of Australia to be celebrated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;There are three great strands to the Australian story: we have an Indigenous heritage, a British foundation and a multicultural character,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Nationals leader Matt Canavan disagreed with Senator Hanson&#8217;s characterisation and was against &#8220;demonising&#8221; a whole group or part of Australia&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It is wrong, divisive re-reading of our nation&#8217;s history and ultimately it weakens our bonds as a country and reduces patriotism because you are rejecting part of your heritage,&#8221; he told the ABC.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2026-09-14\/750k-visas-cut-under-one-nation-plan\/107149702\" data-component=\"FullBleedLink\" class=\"RelatedCard_link__rsgR9 FullBleedLink_root__lTw_U interactive_focusContext__yRhc_ interactive_defaults__AKxUU FullBleedLink_showVisited__g3Xvz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">750k visas cut under One Nation plan<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP RelatedCard_synopsis__cFwMW Typography_sizeMobile14__u7TGe Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">One Nation unveils its plan to slash immigration by 750,000 places over three years, with major cuts targeting international students and the families of skilled migrants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">He said censuring Senator Hanson could make her &#8220;a martyr&#8221; and only further boost her in the polls.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Greens leader Larissa Waters said the comments were &#8220;vile&#8221; and whitewash 60,000 years of proud history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It just makes people full of hate and fear,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It&#8217;s pretty clear that Pauline Hanson is finding it hard to find anyone she doesn&#8217;t hate. She can&#8217;t stand veterans. She&#8217;s not happy about people on the NDIS. She doesn&#8217;t like people using public housing and she doesn&#8217;t like First Nations people.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the unearthed comments show there is not a group in society the One Nation leader is not prepared to &#8220;kick down&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s only for someone who doesn&#8217;t know anything about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture who can call it primitive,&#8221; Ms Plibersek told News24.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The minister called out Senator Hanson&#8217;s lack of knowledge, pointing to Brewarrina Fish Traps, which are thousands of years old, as an example of early agricultural Indigenous stewardship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I bet she doesn&#8217;t know about that. If you don&#8217;t take the time to learn about a culture you&#8217;ve got no right to call it primitive,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has drawn widespread criticism over resurfaced comments in which she called Indigenous Australians&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":891516,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-891515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=891515"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891515\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/891516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=891515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=891515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=891515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}