{
  "id": 7273355,
  "title": "Far-right leader sparks outrage with 'primitive' Indigenous comments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/far-right-leader-sparks-outrage-with-primitive-indigenous-comments",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T08:07:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/world/2026-09-14-far-right-leader-sparks-outrage-with-primitive-indigenous-comments/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Far-right Australian politician Pauline Hanson sparked widespread outrage on Monday by describing Indigenous people as the \"most primitive race on Earth.\" The comments, which originated from a podcast appearance last year, have resurfaced, drawing condemnation from the country's Indigenous affairs minister and fellow Indigenous senator. In the controversial remarks, Hanson questioned the contributions of Indigenous Australians over the past 60,000 years, stating that they never invented the wheel and that rock paintings were the extent of their achievements. This sparked anger among Indigenous leaders and fellow politicians, who denounced the comments as racist and outrageous. Despite the criticism, Hanson's One Nation party has seen a surge in popularity, with recent polls showing that 27% of Australians would consider voting for the party, placing it just one percentage point behind the ruling Labor Party.",
  "summary": "Australia’s far-right leader Pauline Hanson has sparked fierce backlash after describing Indigenous Australians as the “most primitive race on Earth”, comments condemned as racist and outrageous even as her One Nation party surges in the polls.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hanson questioned Indigenous achievements, stating they never invented the wheel.",
    "Hanson's One Nation party gained 27% support in recent polls."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian Australia",
        "title": "Pauline Hanson’s comments about Indigenous Australians condemned as ‘nasty’ and ‘derogatory’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/pauline-hansons-comments-about-indigenous-australians-condemned-as",
        "published": "2026-09-14T06:38:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Australian far-right leader sparks outrage with 'primitive' Indigenous comments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/australian-far-right-leader-sparks-outrage-with-primitive-indigenous",
        "published": "2026-09-14T08:05:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Australian far-right leader sparks outrage with ‘primitive’ Indigenous comments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/australian-far-right-leader-sparks-outrage-with-primitive-indigenous-7287763",
        "published": "2026-09-14T09:02:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}