Independent senator Lidia Thorpe is standing her ground in the face of calls for her resignation following her high-profile protest during King Charles III’s visit to Parliament House. The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman disrupted a reception for the monarch on Monday, yelling “you are not my king” and accusing the royal family of genocide against Indigenous Australians.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton claimed Thorpe should quit parliament, arguing that “if you were really truly about your cause and not just about yourself, then I think that’s a decision that you would make.” But in a defiant radio interview, the senator from Victoria declared, “I’m not looking to be re-elected – I’m looking to get justice for my people.”
Thorpe Vows to Continue Fight for Indigenous Rights
Brushing off the resignation demands, Thorpe told Radio National listeners to “get used to truth-telling” and vowed to keep pushing for Indigenous justice throughout her Senate term. “I will be there for another three years, everybody,” she affirmed.
My approach, unfortunately, might upset a few people, but how else do you get your message across when we continually shut down as Blak women?
Senator Lidia Thorpe
Defending Confrontation with King Charles
Thorpe stood by her decision to directly confront the king over the British monarchy’s role in colonial atrocities committed against First Nations people. “His family and his kingdom are absolutely responsible for what happened to my people in this country,” she asserted. “They came to the shores with guns … If you stay silent, then you are complicit.”
The senator challenged King Charles to apologize for the actions of his ancestors, asking “Why doesn’t he say, I am sorry for the many, many thousands of massacres that happened in this country, and that my ancestors and my kingdom are responsible for that?” Her protest made international headlines and reignited debate over reconciliation and the monarchy’s legacy in Australia.
Censure Motion Unlikely to Gain Traction
Some Liberal politicians floated the idea of censuring Thorpe in the Senate over her conduct. However, shadow foreign minister Simon Birmingham downplayed the prospect, noting that “one of the problems is Lidia Thorpe would probably revel in being censured.” He suggested a more measured response to avoid giving the independent senator the attention she seeks.
Thorpe did apologize for a quickly-deleted Instagram post by a staff member depicting a cartoon of King Charles being beheaded, saying it was shared without her knowledge. “I would not intentionally share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone,” she clarified. “That’s not what I’m about.”
Ongoing Tensions Over Indigenous Rights and the Monarchy
The clash between Thorpe and the royal family underscores the deep tensions that persist between Indigenous Australians and the institutions of colonialism. Many First Nations activists argue that meaningful reconciliation requires confronting hard truths about the violence and dispossession inflicted upon their ancestors.
Thorpe’s protest also reflects growing calls for Australia to reevaluate its relationship with the monarchy and consider becoming a republic. Recent polls suggest a slim majority of Australians now support cutting ties with the British crown, though the issue remains divisive.
As the fallout from Thorpe’s protest continues, it’s clear her unapologetic style and commitment to Indigenous justice will keep sparking heated debates in parliament and beyond. Whether her approach advances the cause or alienates potential allies remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Lidia Thorpe has no intention of staying silent.
