Lidia Thorpe’s protest against the British Crown sparks political and public debate over colonialism and Indigenous rights

The Australian Senate has voted to censure Senator Lidia Thorpe for heckling King Charles during his visit to Canberra last month, expressing “profound disapproval” of her protest. Thorpe, an Aboriginal senator, shouted “you are not my King” and “this is not your land” after the King addressed the Great Hall of Parliament. The protest was intended to highlight the enduring impact of British colonisation on Australia’s Indigenous peoples.

The censure, which passed with a 46-12 vote, condemned Thorpe’s actions as “disrespectful and disruptive,” and ruled that such behaviour should disqualify her from representing the Senate in any official capacity. While the censure is politically significant, it carries no legal or constitutional consequences.

In response, Thorpe told reporters that she had been denied the opportunity to address the chamber due to a delayed flight, adding, “The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the first peoples of this country… I will not be silent.” The senator’s protest sparked immediate backlash, including from political opponents and some Indigenous leaders, who criticised her actions. However, Thorpe’s stance was praised by certain activists who argued that it drew attention to the ongoing disadvantages faced by Australia’s Indigenous population, which continues to experience lower health outcomes, education, and life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians.

King Charles, who was on a five-day tour of Australia with Queen Camilla, was warmly received by most of the public during his visit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the complexities of Australia’s relationship with the monarchy in his address, noting, “You have shown great respect for Australians, even during times when we have debated the future of our own constitutional arrangements.”

Thorpe, known for her outspoken Indigenous activism, has made headlines in the past for her stance on colonialism. During her swearing-in ceremony in 2022, she referred to Queen Elizabeth II as a “coloniser,” prompting controversy and a request to retake her oath. Last year, Australia rejected the Voice referendum, a proposal to grant constitutional recognition to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and establish an advisory body. Despite the majority of Indigenous voters supporting the measure, the campaign was highly divisive, with Thorpe leading the ‘No’ campaign, labelling the proposal as tokenistic.

Thorpe’s heckling of King Charles reignites the broader debate on Australia’s relationship with its colonial past and the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights. As the nation continues to grapple with issues of recognition and reconciliation, Thorpe’s actions have further spotlighted the urgency of addressing the historical and contemporary injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.