Pauline Hanson, leader of Australia’s One Nation party, has issued a qualified apology following controversy over remarks in which she described Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as “the most primitive race on Earth.” The comments, made during a podcast interview in September 2025 but only recently gaining widespread attention, drew significant criticism from political figures, Indigenous leaders, and human rights groups.
In the interview, Hanson expressed frustration about the teaching of Indigenous history in schools and characterized First Nations peoples in terms that many found offensive. She later clarified that her use of the term was intended to refer to the period prior to British colonization in the late 18th century. “If I’ve offended people by using that, yes, I will apologise for that,” Hanson said, emphasizing she did not intend to upset anyone and that her comments pertained to a historical context rather than present-day realities. She added that she had “always put my foot in my mouth” and acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
Despite the apology, Hanson’s remarks were widely condemned as racist and derogatory. Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, described the statements as “deeply hurtful” and “completely wrong,” noting that they dehumanized Australia’s First Nations people. McCarthy called on Hanson to offer a full apology and highlighted rare cross-party agreement in denouncing the comments. Aboriginal author Thomas Mayo also criticized Hanson’s remarks, stating they revealed ignorance of the sophisticated systems of law, governance, culture, trade, and land management developed by Indigenous Australians over tens of thousands of years.
The Australian Human Rights Commission echoed these concerns, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Katie Kiss condemning the comments as divisive at a time when unity is needed. Kiss noted the strong bipartisan criticism of Hanson’s statements but warned of the lasting harm such rhetoric can cause.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Hanson and One Nation, following other recent contentious remarks, including criticism of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s mother and a controversial cartoon targeting Liberal MP Andrew Hastie. Some crossbench senators considered a censure motion against Hanson over the Indigenous remarks; however, opinions varied on its potential impact.
Hanson also addressed her earlier comments about Albanese’s mother, clarifying that she did not intend them to be derogatory and apologizing if any offense was taken. As the debate continues, the episode underscores ongoing tensions regarding the portrayal and recognition of Indigenous history and rights in Australia’s national discourse.