Australia condemns racist remarks by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson
Australian lawmakers and Indigenous representatives have condemned Pauline Hanson, leader of the right-wing populist One Nation party, over her remarks about Indigenous Australians, which have again drawn attention. During a podcast appearance last year, Hanson called them the most primitive race on Earth while discussing the teaching of Indigenous history and culture in Australian schools.
Demand for an apology
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy called Hanson's words outrageous and completely racist. According to her, such rhetoric is divisive, and she therefore urged the One Nation leader to apologize. The reaction to these remarks was reported by Anadolu Agency.
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Writer, trade union activist and human rights advocate Thomas Mayo described Hanson's statement as shockingly racist and ignorantly wrong. At the same time, he said that such words did not come as a surprise to him given her political record.
Senators' reaction and migration proposals
Liberal Senator Kerryn Liddle called the remarks shameful, while Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price accused Hanson of deliberate ignorance. The dispute unfolded amid One Nation's presentation of proposals for a significant reduction in migration. The party, founded and led by Hanson, has long advocated stricter immigration restrictions and opposed multiculturalism. Its new proposals include reducing the number of visas for international students and graduates, as well as restrictions for family members of students and labor migrants.
