In an extraordinary moment during the royal visit to Australia, Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe disrupted a parliamentary reception for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, shouting “You are not my king!” The incident has sparked debate about indigenous rights, the role of the monarchy, and the growing republican movement in Australia.
Senator Thorpe Removed After Heckling King
According to sources present at the event, as King Charles finished his speech at Parliament House in Canberra, Senator Thorpe walked up the aisle towards the stage, yelling at the royal couple. “You stole from us,” she shouted, as officials stepped forward to stop her reaching the stage. “This is not your land,” Thorpe continued before being escorted out of the room.
The incident has ignited discussions across Australia about the country’s colonial past, the treatment of Indigenous peoples, and the future of the monarchy. Many have praised Thorpe for her bold stance, while others have criticized her actions as disrespectful and inappropriate for the formal occasion.
Indigenous Rights at Forefront
Lidia Thorpe, a Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, has been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights since entering parliament in 2020. She has consistently called for treaty, truth-telling, and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have suffered dispossession, discrimination, and injustice since British colonization began in 1788.
We have never ceded our sovereignty. This land was stolen from us, and we continue to face the impacts of colonization every day.
– Lidia Thorpe, in a previous speech to parliament
For many Indigenous Australians, the British monarchy represents a painful legacy of colonialism and oppression. The royal visit has reignited calls for the Australian government to address longstanding issues such as deaths in custody, over-incarceration, and the protection of sacred sites.
Republicanism on the Rise
The incident has also fueled the republican movement in Australia, which seeks to replace the British monarch with an Australian head of state. Recent polls suggest that support for a republic has been steadily growing, particularly among younger generations.
- A 2021 survey found that 54% of Australians support becoming a republic
- Support is highest among those aged 18-35, at 62%
- The Australian Republican Movement has reported a surge in membership since the royal visit was announced
While Australia has been independent since 1901, the British monarch remains the head of state, represented by the governor-general. Many argue that it is time for Australia to assert its full independence and forge a new identity as a mature, multicultural nation.
Australia’s head of state should be chosen by Australians, to represent Australian values and aspirations. It’s time for us to stand on our own two feet.
– Prominent republican campaigner
Royal Visit Overshadowed
The heckling incident has somewhat overshadowed the royal couple’s visit, which was intended to celebrate the ties between Australia and the UK. King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to meet with community groups, attend cultural events, and discuss issues such as sustainability and youth empowerment during their time in Australia.
However, the protest by Senator Thorpe has ensured that Indigenous rights and the republican debate remain at the forefront of public discourse. It has also raised questions about the role and relevance of the monarchy in a modern, diverse Australia.
A Defining Moment?
As Australia grapples with its colonial past and looks to the future, the protest by Lidia Thorpe may come to be seen as a defining moment. It has brought attention to the unfinished business of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the growing desire for an independent Australian identity.
While opinions remain divided on the appropriateness of Thorpe’s actions, there is no denying that her message has resonated widely. As one commentator put it: “Australia is having a long-overdue conversation with itself, and the monarchy is increasingly being seen as an anachronism.”
As the royal visit continues and the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Australia stands at a crossroads, and the path it chooses will shape its identity and destiny for generations to come. The heckling of King Charles by an Indigenous senator is just one dramatic manifestation of the complex forces at play as the nation grapples with its past, present, and future.
