Tokyo Olympics 2021: Pauline Hanson hits out at Matildas photo with Aboriginal flag

A decision by the Matildas to pose with the Aboriginal flag before their Olympic opener against New Zealand has earned the wrath of One Nation senator Pauline Hanson.

As night follows day, Pauline Hanson has hit out at the Matildas for posing with the Australian Aboriginal Flag before their victory over New Zealand.The team – which also sung the Australian national anthem in full voice – posed for the photo before surviving a late scare in the match against the Kiwis to win 2-1.

And Hanson isn’t impressed.

The Australian team poses with the Aboriginal flag before their match against New Zealand. Picture: AFP

The Australian team poses with the Aboriginal flag before the game. Picture: AFP“Athletes in the Australian Olympic team are there representing all Australians on the biggest of international stages,” Senator Hanson said.

“Indigenous flags don’t represent all Australians. There’s only one flag which truly represents all of us. Taxpayers don’t shell out millions of dollars to send Olympic teams to represent two nations. We’re one nation, Australia, indigenous and non-indigenous alike.

“I think a lot of Australians are sick and tired of athletes and celebrities hijacking platforms to make token PC gestures that only inflame division. Australians are sick and tired of their favourite sports being ruined by politics.

“Australians supporting their Olympic team deserve an explanation from the Australian Olympic Committee, and I’m sure they want to know what the Prime Minister has to say about it too.”

Before the match the Australians stood arm in arm as the New Zealand squad took a knee in support of Black Lives Matter.

Matildas superstar Sam Kerr said she was proud of the players for displaying the flag.

“We are really proud of it. It was something we spoke a lot to as a team. We let the Indigenous girls drive it,” Kerr told Channel Seven post-match.

The Australian team belts out the national anthem before the match. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

“We felt that we didn’t want to just do something that goes along with the grain, we wanted to do something that was relevant to our country and show unity within our group and let everyone feel that they’re represented.”

Australia’s first scorer Tameka Yallop added: “We are obviously in support of no racism, we definitely wanted to take a stand and show our support of that, and we also wanted to represent not just Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams within our team, but the broader Indigenous Australians, and give our own Australian flare to shed light on that aspect of it as well.

“We just wanted to stand together for the Australian culture and the Indigenous side of us.”

Last month, star player Simon shared her story of growing up Indigenous, as she looks to help bring home gold for Australia.

Originally published as Tokyo Olympics 2021: Pauline Hanson hits out at Matildas photo with Aboriginal flag