Pauline Hanson has expressed “regret” for describing Australia’s Indigenous people as “the most primitive race on earth”, saying it “wasn’t my intention to hurt people”.

Speaking after a barrage of criticism from across the political spectrum at her remarks, made on a podcast last year, she also said she was referring to First Nations people at the time of settlement, not at present.

“If we go back at the time of settlement in Australia, they were primitive compared to the settlers that came out here from England”, she said on News24. “But I’m not talking those terms now.”

Questioned about the backlash against her, including from Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Hanson said: “I’ve always put my foot in my mouth in the way I come out and say things. I’m not the most eloquent speaker in how I deliver something, what I say.”

She said she had always called for equality for all Australians and for people not to be treated differently because of their race.

“I’ve always called out for accountability.........

© The Conversation