Lidia Thorpe, one Australian federal senator, don make headlines on Monday after she disrupt a parliamentary reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Thorpe, wey represent Victoria, shout phrases like ‘give us our land back,’ ‘down with the colony,’ and ‘you are not my king’ during di royal couple’s visit to Parliament House in Canberra.
Thorpe’s outburst happen as other officials and dignitaries dey present to hear di king speak. Her remarks emphasize di need for a treaty between Australia‘s Indigenous populations and condemn di British colonization of di nation. Dis incident mark another prominent protest from di well-known senator, further showcasing her dedication to Indigenous rights.
Thorpe, who identify as a Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung Indigenous woman, born into a family deeply involved in Aboriginal community organizing. She has long advocated for a treaty between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians and supported di ‘pay the rent’ initiative aimed at reparations. Her advocacy span various progressive issues affecting Indigenous communities, including justice system reforms, environmental concerns, land rights, child welfare, and housing.
In 2022, upon her re-election, Thorpe refer to Queen Elizabeth II as ‘the colonizing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ during her oath, prompting her to restart di oath with di formal language. She later elected as di deputy leader of di Greens in di Senate but resign after it was disclosed that she had a relationship with Dean Martin, former president of di Rebels motorcycle gang while serving on di parliament’s law enforcement committee.
Thorpe depart from di Greens in early 2023 after di party express support for di Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, a reform she and some of her supporters oppose. Since then, she serve as an independent senator. She consistently oppose di Uluru Statement from di Heart, which calls for a voice to parliament led by di Indigenous community, arguing that establishing such a voice under di Australian constitution would imply relinquishing sovereignty.
Before di royal couple’s arrival in Canberra, Thorpe’s office issue a statement asserting her belief that ‘a treaty with First Peoples must be central to any move towards a republic.’ She further contend that Charles is ‘not di legitimate sovereign of these lands’ and accuse di British crown of committing ‘genocide against our people.’ Thorpe emphasize di need to address ‘unfinished business’ before Australia can transition to a republic, insisting that this must occur through a treaty.
