First Contact 2016 on SBS: The TV moment that shocked Australia

SHOCKED Australians have reacted to the explosive TV confrontation between an Aboriginal elder and former One Nation politician on SBS last night.

SHOCKED Australians have taken to Twitter to share their responses to SBS show First Contact, in which an Aboriginal elder confronted former One Nation politician David Oldfield and asked if he respected his culture.

Many condemned the show and “white privilege” shown by Mr Oldfield, with artist Brendon Marczan saying “makes me wish I wasn’t Australian”.

Others noted the “irony” of David Oldfield saying he had “sensitive” skin and blasted him for being “disrespectful”.

Mr Oldfield said on the show that Aboriginal culture “should have died out like the stone age” and that it was “unnecessary”.

“It’s not good for Aborigines to remain Aborigines. You just naturally let it die out,” he said.

The show also contained some shocking admissions from others involved including Natalie Imbruglia who said she had never “had a conversation with an Aboriginal person” and Nicki Wendt admitting she had had racist thoughts about indigenous people.

#FirstContact makes me wish I wasn't Australian. The racism is so incredibly extreme and terrifying. Disgusting white privilege.

— Brendon Marczan (@BrendonMarczan) November 29, 2016

this David Oldfield is even more of a prick than I thought he was ... so disrespectful #firstcontact

— Ian Gordicans (@Gordicans) November 29, 2016

i cant believe oldman went on the show, went to someones elses country and then just refused to participate in anything? #firstcontact

— Nayuka Gorrie (@NayukaGorrie) November 29, 2016

Nope can't watch the famous white people have their misconceptions broken down by Indigenous trauma as a form of entertainment #FirstContact

— Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) November 29, 2016

So nice that so many people care about white people learning things. I wish they cared as much about black people's trauma #FirstContact

— Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) November 29, 2016

Why do we whites respect and revere our ancestors who fought in wars, but disregard Aboriginal connection to the past? #FirstContact

— Brad (@BradThePromoGuy) November 29, 2016

Centuries of #Indigenous communities trauma doesn't exist for entertainment of white people to learn how to be human beings. #FirstContact

— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) November 29, 2016

The SBS show was billed as a showdown to get Australia talking and force the country to question its own beliefs.

During a fiery exchange Aboriginal elder Timmy “Djawa” Burarrwanga says: “You know this country is so racist” to Mr Oldfield in Bawaka in East Arnhem Land.

Timmy invites the group to join his family for a fish. Picture: David Dare Parker

Oldfield visited the remote community along with singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia, TV personality Ian “Dicko” Dickson, former Miss Universe Renae Ayris, comedian Tom Ballard, and actor Nicki Wendt.

But what began as a peaceful visit soon turned sour after the group is invited into the water to catch some fish.

After Oldfield refused to take part, tensions simmered over and Timmy asked what was bothering him before asking if he respected his culture since he respected his.

Ray Martin and David Oldfield discuss the day’s events. Picture: David Dare Parker

Not entirely happy with the answer he received, the elder said: “You know this country is so racist.”

He went on to say the constitution itself is racist as it doesn’t recognise Aboriginal people but Oldfield replied that it didn’t recognise any culture or people.

Other participants join the debate but not before Oldfield offers to leave Timmy’s land.

The feisty encounter was just one of several on the three-part series, which sees all participants confront their own beliefs and opinions during the 28-day journey.

The two men have several discussions on Aboriginal culture. Picture: David Dare Parker

In another encounter set to air tomorrow night, Oldfield is again involved in fiery clashes while staying in the remote town of Elliott, which is between Darwin and Alice Springs.

The outspoken Oldfield asks his hosts “SK” and Kaylene why there is so much rubbish surrounding the property.

WARNING: Coarse language in clip below.

The women answer some of the rubbish isn’t even theirs before telling him they don’t tell him how to live his life and he shouldn’t say how to live theirs.

“I’ll pick it up when I’m rough and ready,” he is told. “How can you talk to a woman like that?”

Comedian Tom Ballard, actor Nicki Wendt, TV personality Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, singer Natalie Imbruglia, former Miss Australia Renae Ayris and ex-One Nation politician David Oldfield on location in East Arnhem Land. Picture: David Dare Parker

But it doesn’t end there as tensions boil over and he is asked to leave.

“Get out of my house, I don’t want you here.”

The exchange continues when Ballard follows him outside.

The comedian said he felt the community had bigger priorities than picking up rubbish but Oldfield reveals he wasn’t content with that answer.

“This is the f***ing problem, Tom” he begins. “If all you’re going to do is have a heart ... you’re not going to change a freaking thing.”

But Oldfield isn’t the only participant who is challenged on what they believe.

The former politician engages in several debates during the journey. Picture: David Dare Parker

All the participants are forced to confront their own opinions and beliefs about what they think about Aboriginal Australia.

Wendt and Ayris also admit they both have strong views when it comes to Aboriginal culture.

Ayris, who grew up in Perth, reveals her only contact with Aboriginal people had been far from positive after being abused and spat on.

Dicko also reveals how he is worried the journey will show he is nothing but a dirty big racist.

Imbruglia said she wanted to know the truth and doesn’t want to be spoon-fed an opinion while Ballard believes indigenous people have been hard done by.

— with Victoria Craw

First Contact season 2 will air tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at 8.30pm on SBS and NITV.

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