Western Australia's South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council has lodged a formal complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission concerning public comments made by Senator Pauline Hanson about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Senator Hanson made statements describing Aboriginal people as "the most primitive race on Earth" on the relatively obscure Jamie J podcast last year, as reported by news.com.au, criticising the teaching of Indigenous history and culture in Australian schools.
Her comments were broadly condemned across the political spectrum this week including from Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who slammed Ms Hanson's comments as "wilful ignorance".
SWALSC said it has taken the action in its own capacity as a representative organisation for its Noongar members and on behalf of all Noongar people.
The complaint asks the Commission to consider Ms Hanson's comments under the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), including section 18C.
In announcing the complaint, SWALSC said it acknowledged Senator Hanson's subsequent expression of regret and conditional apology.
However, SWALSC says, her response does not withdraw the substance of the reported remarks or provide the unreserved acknowledgement and apology sought through the complaint.
SWALSC chief executive officer, Vanessa Kickett, said the complaint was not about preventing political debate.
"Political disagreement is part of a healthy democracy. Degrading an entire people is not," Ms Kickett said.
"Noongar culture is living culture. Our history, knowledge, languages, connection to boodja and responsibilities to Country have been carried from generation to generation and continue today.
"Our young people should grow up knowing that their culture, identity and connection to Country are sources of strength and pride."
SWALSC also acknowledged Kurin Minang human rights expert Dr Hannah McGlade's separately lodged complaint concerning Ms Hanson's reported comments.
Dr McGlade said she lodged her complaint "because it's important that we tackle this racism through the law as well as in advocacy and protests".
"Like many if not most Aboriginal people yesterday, for me it was very upsetting to see and hear Hanson and One Nation's racism which belongs well and truly in past," she said on Tuesday.
"Racism has a serious impact on us as First Nations people and we have to fight it with all can."
The Noongar representative body says it's complaint has been lodged independently and reflects its responsibility to represent and advocate for its Noongar members.
Through the complaint, SWALSC says it is seeking an acknowledgement of the harm caused, an unreserved public apology to Indigenous peoples, an assurance that comparable racially degrading statements will not be repeated, and consideration of appropriate educative or systemic measures.
SWALSC said it will respect the Australian Human Rights Commission's independent complaints process and will provide further information to the Commission as required.
With Dechlan Brennan and Giovanni Torre
