A comedian has faced strong criticism after releasing a skit in which she sniffs petrol and performs a smoking ceremony while parodying a white woman identifying as Aboriginal. Lisa Jane Spencer, a satirist and podcaster based in Melbourne, is known for her sketches and commentary on Australian culture and identity politics.
The Controversial Sketch
On Tuesday, Spencer uploaded a new sketch featuring a character named 'Aunty Lisa'. In the video, she says, 'I started identifying as a black fella a few months ago.' She then fills out a mock government form, ticking 'Yes I am' next to the question 'Am I Aboriginal?'. The scene cuts to 'Aunty Lisa' wearing white face paint, mimicking singing, and clapping two twigs together.
'I finally feel at peace with who I am. One of the mob,' she says. 'Aboriginal identity transcends skin colour. I am Aboriginal, end of story.' The skit concludes with Spencer inhaling from a red jerry can, accompanied by the caption: 'This transition hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it.'
Public Reaction
Many Australians condemned the video as offensive. One critic said, 'Foul. Good comedians punch up. The lazy ones punch down and call the backlash proof they're "too edgy".' Another added, 'Shock value is what you reach for when you can't land a punchline.' A third commented, 'This isn't comedy or satire; it's a collection of lazy and racist stereotypes dressed up as a joke.' However, some defended Spencer, with one fan writing, 'I'm literally pissing myself laughing out loud.'
Previous Parodies
Spencer has previously impersonated figures like Pauline Hanson, Abbie Chatfield, and Donald Trump. In a past skit, she portrayed a white woman identifying as Indian, claiming to have 'assimilated' into Indian culture. She stated, 'I've learned the accent and the head bob... It's not about skin colour or shared ancestry. It's about being a proud Indian.'
Before transitioning to comedy, Spencer spent a decade as a singer-songwriter and music producer. She has since posted over 130 parodies. The Daily Mail contacted Spencer for comment but received no response.
