Comedian Dismissed After Controversial Indigenous Culture Parody

Lisa Jane Spencer, a Melbourne-based content creator, was fired from Peninsula Hot Springs on June 3, 2026, following widespread backlash over a video widely condemned as racist. The 36-second video, posted on Tuesday, parodied an episode of SBS's Insight program. Spencer says she will seek legal advice and has declined to apologise.

The Video

The video, shared across Spencer's social media accounts, depicts her in white face paint and a faux-fur jacket. She holds a bowl with burning eucalyptus leaves, simulating a smoking ceremony, and wears a badge featuring the Aboriginal flag with the slogan "Always was, Always will be."

"I've been identifying as a black fella for a few months," Spencer says in the video, referring to herself as "Aunty Lisa."

The clip also includes what has been described as a mocking traditional dance, and she places a red petrol can in front of her nose, simulating petrol sniffing.

Spencer's Defence

Spence has issued several statements defending the video as satire.

• She said the parody targeted "white people claiming Aboriginal identity for benefits."
• The parody was based on an Insight episode featuring transgender woman Roxanne "Roxy" Tickle.
• Spencer argues that comedy should "push boundaries" and claims the offence taken proves her point about "victimhood."
• She refused to apologise, stating she would apologise "to absolutely nobody."
• She alleged that people who shared the video with her employer had "illegally doxxed my workplace."

Community and Public Backlash

The video sparked immediate condemnation from the public, Indigenous advocates, and the organisations involved.

Brooke Blurton, the Indigenous reality TV participant from The Bachelorette, posted a video response. She criticised the content as a racist stereotype and urged others to report the video.

Hundreds of comments on the video condemned it as racist and insensitive. The video was widely shared and denounced across social media platforms.

Employer and Network Respond

Peninsula Hot Springs, Spencer's employer, issued a statement confirming she is a former employee. The company stated it does "not support content inconsistent with their values of inclusion, respect, and cultural safety."

SBS, whose Insight program and logos were used without authorisation, condemned the video and racism.

Background: Previous Controversy

Five days before the June 2 video, Spencer posted another satirical video targeting the Indian community. In that clip, she wore a traditional outfit, spoke with an accent, and said, "I was assigned Australian at birth, but I identify as Indian."

Employment Status

Spencer confirmed she was dismissed from Peninsula Hot Springs less than 24 hours after posting the video. She has stated she will seek legal advice regarding her termination.