Australian Senator Pauline Hanson has sparked widespread criticism after comments she made last year resurfaced, in which she described Indigenous Australians as “the most primitive race on Earth.” The remarks, made during an interview on the JJ Podcast, have reignited debate about Indigenous representation in the national school curriculum and drawn condemnation from political figures across the spectrum.
During the September 2025 podcast, Hanson questioned the emphasis on Indigenous history in schools, stating that Aboriginal Australians, whose ancestors have lived on the continent for more than 60,000 years, had “never invented the wheel” and had contributed little to the country beyond “a few rock paintings.” She expressed skepticism about the value of teaching Aboriginal culture and language, igniting accusations of racism and ignorance.
Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party and a senator for Queensland, defended herself amidst growing public backlash, but many politicians and Indigenous leaders called for her to retract the statements and apologise. Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy described Hanson’s comments as “totally outrageous” and “completely racist,” urging the senator to apologise to Indigenous communities in Queensland. McCarthy also criticised Hanson’s ongoing pattern of inflammatory remarks directed at various minority groups.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a prominent Indigenous Liberal frontbencher and vocal opponent of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, expressed her disappointment with Hanson’s remarks while acknowledging agreement with some of Hanson’s policy positions. Price said the comments had taken the Indigenous history debate into “appalling territory” and reflected a “willful ignorance” that undermined understanding of Australia’s First Peoples. “All decent Australians would condemn such comments,” Price said.
Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Julian Leeser framed Hanson’s remarks as an attack on the nation’s character, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Australia’s Indigenous heritage alongside its British foundations and multicultural identity. Greens leader Larissa Waters also issued a strong rebuke, condemning Hanson’s string of derogatory comments about Indigenous peoples and other social groups.
Despite the controversy, Hanson’s One Nation party has maintained significant levels of support nationally. Recent opinion polling shows the party trailing the ruling Labor Party by just one percentage point, reflecting growing disenchantment among some Australians with the major parties. One Nation’s support base includes voters attracted to Hanson’s outspoken style and her positions on immigration, multiculturalism, and social policy.
The controversy over Hanson’s remarks has also overlapped with other personal and political disputes involving the senator, including attacks on political opponents and their families, further polarizing public opinion. Veterans advocate Senator Jacqui Lambie described Hanson as a “coward” following some of these exchanges.
Hanson’s comments have prompted renewed discussion about the role of Indigenous history in education, social equality, and national identity at a time when Indigenous Australians continue to face significant challenges, including disparities in health, incarceration rates, and socio-economic outcomes. The debate highlights the enduring tensions surrounding race, history, and politics in contemporary Australia.