One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has resurfaced remarks in which she described Indigenous Australians as "the most primitive race on earth" and questioned the emphasis on Indigenous history and culture in Australian schools. The comments were made during an interview on the Jamie J Podcast last year.
Hanson claimed that a teacher from Western Australia had written to her stating that the curriculum had shifted away from teaching broader aspects of Australian history to focus more on Indigenous studies. She questioned the value of teaching Aboriginal culture and language, asking, "For what?"
During the interview, Hanson stated that Indigenous Australians had contributed little to the nation despite a 60,000-year presence. "You know, supposedly 60,000 years, they'd never invented the wheel. There was nothing there," she said. "What are we actually holding up? A few, you know, rock paintings. Sorry, they're most primitive race on Earth."
She clarified that she was not criticizing Indigenous Australians as individuals but opposed processes like treaties between governments and Indigenous communities. "They are a race of people, they are Australian, by all means," Hanson said. "But to change and do treaties, that is actually going to destroy who we are as a nation."
Hanson also voiced opposition to Welcome to Country ceremonies and the teaching of Aboriginal languages in schools, asserting that they offered no practical benefit to students. "I don't want the Welcome to Country. I don't want kids being taught Aboriginal language," she stated. "Is it gonna get them jobs? Is it gonna get them jobs around the world? No."
These comments follow a recent incident where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became emotional after Hanson criticized his mother for a lengthy period of residing in public housing.