Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe has been disqualified from representing the Australian Senate in future delegations following a protest during King Charles’ visit to Canberra last month.
On Monday, the Australian Senate voted 46-12 to condemn Thorpe’s actions as “disrespectful and disruptive” after her outburst during the King’s address in the Great Hall of Parliament.
The vote followed a censure motion aimed at holding the Senator accountable for her protest, which many lawmakers saw as an insult to the British monarchy.
The protest, which took place during King Charles’ visit, saw Thorpe shouting loudly in the chamber, “You are not my King” and “This is not your land.”
She made the remarks to highlight the ongoing consequences of British colonization and to protest against the British Crown’s treatment of Indigenous Australians.
While the censure motion passed, it was largely symbolic, carrying no legal weight. However, the motion stipulated that Thorpe would no longer be able to represent the Senate in official delegations.
Thorpe, an outspoken advocate for Indigenous rights, expressed disappointment after the vote. She claimed she had not been given an opportunity to speak in defense of her actions because of a flight delay that prevented her from attending the session.
In a statement, Thorpe said, “The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the first peoples of this country… I will not be silent.”
Thorpe’s protest sparked fierce reactions across Australia’s political landscape. While the protest was condemned by many, including some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, it was also praised by activist groups.
For some, the protest was seen as a powerful statement aimed at drawing attention to the struggles and injustices that Indigenous Australians continue to face. Activists said Thorpe’s actions put a spotlight on the ongoing fight for recognition and equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Despite the controversy, King Charles was welcomed warmly during his visit to Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the King for his respect toward the nation and its people during the visit.
Thorpe’s protest is not the first time she has stirred controversy. In 2022, during her swearing-in ceremony, she referred to Queen Elizabeth II as a “coloniser,” drawing significant backlash.
Thorpe is also known for her vocal opposition to the Voice referendum, which sought to grant constitutional recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The referendum ultimately failed, but Thorpe remains one of its most prominent critics.
The Senator has long been an advocate for the rights of Indigenous Australians, but her protests and remarks have often drawn criticism from those who view her actions as too extreme.
During King Charles’ visit, the monarch was given a formal welcome by Australian leaders, and his address was received with applause. Despite Thorpe’s protest, the rest of the event proceeded without further incident.
Thorpe’s actions were also condemned by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, who said that her protest disrupted a significant moment in Australia’s relationship with the British monarchy. Some felt that it overshadowed the opportunity for meaningful dialogue on Indigenous issues.
However, many of Thorpe’s supporters stood by her, calling her protest a necessary act of defiance against the historical injustices faced by Indigenous people.
One of her supporters, Indigenous activist Taryn Brumfitt, said, “Lidia’s protest shows the power of speaking truth to power. The Australian government needs to confront its colonial past, and Senator Thorpe’s actions demand attention to that history.”
Thorpe’s protest reflects ongoing debates in Australia about the country’s relationship with its colonial past and the British monarchy.
While King Charles’ visit was largely ceremonial, it highlighted the ongoing tensions between Australia’s Indigenous population and the country’s colonial legacy.
Thorpe’s actions serve as a reminder that, for many Australians, the legacy of British colonization is still a deeply felt and contentious issue.
