Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe erupted with anti-colonial chants directed at King Charles during his visit to the Australian parliament today, astonishing the politicians and notable guests in attendance.
“Return our land! Restore what you took from us!” Ms Thorpe yelled during an impassioned speech that lasted nearly a minute, following the 75-year-old king’s address.
“This isn’t your land; you aren’t my king,” the independent politician exclaimed, condemning what she referred to as the “genocide” of Indigenous Australians instigated by European settlers.
Australia was under British colonial rule for over a century, a period marked by the deaths of thousands of Aboriginal Australians and the displacement of entire communities.
Charles is currently on a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa, marking his first significant international trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Ms Thorpe is well-known for her provocative political actions and strong opposition to the monarchy.
Upon being sworn into office in 2022, she raised her right fist, reluctantly pledging to serve Queen Elizabeth II, who was then the head of state for Australia.
“I, sovereign Lidia Thorpe, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” she stated, prompting a reprimand from a Senate official.
“Senator Thorpe, Senator Thorpe, you are expected to recite the oath as it is printed on the card,” the chamber’s president, Sue Lines, reminded her.
In 1999, Australians narrowly voted against the removal of the queen, amid debates over whether her successor would be selected by parliamentarians rather than the general populace.
In 2023, Australians decisively rejected proposals to recognize Indigenous Australians in the constitution and to establish an Indigenous consultative assembly.
