On Monday, October 21, 2024, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Australian Parliament in Canberra when Senator Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous Australian and independent senator from Victoria, heckled King Charles III during his visit to Australia. The incident occurred as King Charles concluded his address to the members of Parliament, marking a significant moment in his first official visit as king.
As the King finished his speech, which touched on his experiences in Australia, the impact of the Covid pandemic, and the nation’s susceptibility to climate change, Senator Thorpe made her way to the stage. She shouted, “This is not your country,” and continued, “You stole from us,” accusing the monarchy of appropriating Aboriginal territory and committing genocide against Indigenous people. Thorpe demanded, “Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty!”
Security personnel promptly intervened, escorting her towards the exit as she continued to assert her demands. Despite being ushered out, her voice echoed through the chamber, with her final words including, “Fuck the colony.”
The outburst was part of a broader call for Australia to transition into a republic and to forge a treaty with First Nations people. Earlier that day, Thorpe had issued a statement emphasizing that as First Peoples, they never surrendered their sovereignty over the land and that any move towards a republic must include a treaty to address historical injustices.
King Charles remained composed during the incident, turning to converse with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while security handled the situation. The visit, which includes Queen Camilla, has seen the royal couple face low-key protests from supporters of First Nations resistance to colonization.
