Federal politicians from across the political spectrum have strongly criticized recent comments by Pauline Hanson, the leader of the One Nation party, who described Indigenous Australians as the "most primitive race on Earth." The comments have sparked outrage, particularly from Indigenous affairs ministers and advocates. Malarndirri McCarthy, the Indigenous affairs minister and a Yanyuwa and Garrwa woman, called the remarks "totally outrageous," while her opposition counterpart, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said they showed "wilful ignorance" and had "dragged the conversation into appalling territory." Independent senator Lidia Thorpe urged the Albanese government to focus on real action, including implementing a national anti-racism framework, and warned that Hanson would continue spreading "nasty, poorly informed and harmful ideas." The comments have once again placed Hanson in the spotlight and drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, following a series of high-profile disputes. In a September 2025 podcast, first reported by News24, Hanson expressed frustration about children learning about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. The 72-year-old One Nation leader, known for making controversial statements about Indigenous Australians, claimed they were the "most primitive race on Earth" and had "achieved nothing." This has reignited debates about race relations and the portrayal of Indigenous Australians in public discourse. In response, McCarthy challenged Hanson to apologize to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander constituents she represents as a senator for Queensland. She highlighted the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples, pointing to places like the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York, where Indigenous traditions, dance, songs, and stories hold deep significance. "There is rich history in this country," she said, "and you only have to travel to see it." Price, who previously opposed the Indigenous voice to parliament, expressed disappointment with Hanson’s comments and said they would be condemned by "all decent Australians." She criticized Hanson for failing to understand Australia’s First Peoples and noted that while some of the issues raised by Hanson are legitimate topics for debate, her remarks had taken the discussion to an unacceptable level. Meanwhile, Thorpe emphasized the depth of Indigenous knowledge and culture, stating that First Peoples have cared for the land for thousands of generations, developing complex systems of agriculture, science, and art. She criticized Hanson for promoting division rather than unity. Hanson responded to the criticism on social media, suggesting that the media was overreacting to comments made a year earlier. "The media is in a tailspin again today about comments made a year ago on this podcast. Have a look. You be the judge," she wrote. However, her remarks have not quelled the backlash, with many politicians and advocates continuing to condemn her statements as harmful and misleading.