Indigenous Senator Jacinta Price condemns Pauline Hanson’s ‘primitive race’ remarks
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price sharply criticised Pauline Hanson for calling Indigenous Australians the “most primitive race on earth,” calling the comment wilful ignorance.
In a forceful social-media statement, Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused One Nation leader Pauline Hanson of wilful ignorance after Hanson described Indigenous Australians as “the most primitive race on earth.” Price, a prominent Indigenous voice within the Coalition, said Hanson had crossed a line and warned that serious Indigenous policy discussions should not be dragged into “appalling territory.”
The comments, originally made during a September 2025 appearance on the JJ Podcast and later highlighted by News24, have reignited backlash against Hanson, who is already under scrutiny for other remarks. Indigenous Affairs Minister Malarndirri McCarthy called the statements “totally outrageous and completely racist,” urging an apology. Liberal MP Andrew Hastie added that Hanson’s rhetoric mirrors Donald Trump’s playbook and is toxic to Australian politics. Price’s rebuke carries weight given past speculation about her potentially joining Hanson’s party.
Why it matters
The clash underscores how inflammatory rhetoric on Indigenous issues can inflame national political debate in Australia.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps uniformly condemn Pauline Hanson’s comments as racist, but left-leaning coverage stresses her wilful ignorance and the need to keep policy debate out of “appalling territory,” centrist coverage highlights the remarks as “derogatory” and notes possible Senate action, while right-leaning coverage focuses on labeling the slur “completely racist” and critiques her criticism of Indigenous history education.
LEFT
Condemns Hanson as wilfully ignorant, saying she crossed a line and dragged serious Indigenous policy discussions into appalling territory.
CENTER
Labels Hanson’s remarks as derogatory and racist, noting widespread condemnation and the prospect of Senate consequences.
RIGHT
Slams Hanson as completely racist for calling Indigenous Australians the “most primitive race,” emphasizing her criticism of teaching Indigenous history.
The left emphasises
- Hanson’s “wilful ignorance”
- She “crossed a line”
- Policy discussions should not be dragged into “appalling territory”
The right emphasises
- Hanson called the slur “completely racist”
- She described Indigenous Australians as the “most primitive race”
- Critique of teaching Indigenous history in schools
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