In a dramatic showdown that stunned onlookers, Indigenous Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe confronted King Charles III during his visit to Parliament House in Canberra. The fiery exchange, which took place at a reception for the British monarch, saw Thorpe accuse the king of genocide against Aboriginal people.
Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman known for her activism, interrupted the formal proceedings by shouting “you are not my king” and demanding the return of ancestral lands stolen during British colonization. “Give us back what you took from us,” she declared, “our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.”
A History of Indigenous Activism
The impassioned outburst from Thorpe, who was quickly escorted from the room, is the latest in a series of high-profile protests by the senator. Born into a prominent family of Aboriginal community organizers, Thorpe has dedicated her career to advancing Indigenous rights and progressive causes.
Key Moments in Thorpe’s Political Career
- In 2017, became the first Indigenous woman elected to the Victorian state parliament
- Sworn into federal parliament in 2020 wearing a traditional possum-skin cloak and raising her fist in a “black power” salute
- Referred to Queen Elizabeth II as “the colonizing Her Majesty” during her 2022 oath of office
- Quit the Greens party in 2023 over disagreements on the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum
Throughout her tenure, Thorpe has been a vocal advocate for Aboriginal sovereignty, a treaty process, and reparations. She has also championed issues such as prison reform, environmental protection, and housing rights for Indigenous Australians.
Controversy and Conviction
While Thorpe’s uncompromising stance has earned her a devoted following, it has also attracted criticism and controversy. In 2022, she resigned as the Greens’ deputy leader in the Senate after revelations of a past relationship with a former outlaw motorcycle gang president.
Despite the setbacks, Thorpe remains committed to her cause. “I had no choice in being influenced by black activists and the black struggle of my people,” she told reporters in 2022. “I was born into it and I don’t know anything else.”
A Call for Treaty and Accountability
In her confrontation with King Charles III, Thorpe reiterated her demand for a treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. She argued that addressing historical injustices and unfinished business should be a prerequisite for any move towards an Australian republic.
“We can move towards a Treaty Republic now. The two processes are not opposed, they’re complementary.”
– Lidia Thorpe
The incident has reignited debates about Australia’s colonial past, the role of the monarchy, and the path forward for Indigenous rights. As the nation grapples with these complex issues, figures like Lidia Thorpe ensure that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cannot be ignored.
While the methods may be controversial, the message is clear: for Australia to reckon with its history and build a more just future, Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination must be at the forefront. As Thorpe’s protest demonstrates, this is a conversation that cannot be postponed any longer.
