Australian lawmakers have officially censured an Aboriginal senator following her heckling of King Charles during his recent visit to Canberra. The Senate voted 46-12 to express “profound disapproval” of Lidia Thorpe’s actions, which were characterized as “disrespectful and disruptive.”
During the King’s address in the Great Hall of Parliament, Thorpe shouted, “you are not my King” and “this is not your land,” seeking to draw attention to the ongoing impacts of British colonization. The censure motion declared her behavior as unacceptable, stating that it should disqualify her from representing the chamber in any official capacity.
Though politically significant, the censure holds no constitutional or legal power. After the vote, Thorpe expressed her frustration, claiming she was denied the opportunity to respond in the chamber due to a delayed flight. “The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the first peoples of this country… I will not be silent,” she stated.
The protest sparked swift backlash from various political leaders and some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives. Conversely, it received commendation from certain activists who felt it emphasized the struggles faced by Australia’s first inhabitants, including disparities in health, education, and life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
Despite the protest, King Charles was greeted warmly by crowds during his five-day tour with Queen Camilla. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the complexities of the relationship between Australia and the Crown in a formal address, recognizing the King’s respect for Australians amid ongoing constitutional discussions.
Thorpe, a prominent figure in Indigenous activism, has previously made headlines for her strong stances. During her swearing-in ceremony in 2022, she referred to Queen Elizabeth II as a colonizer, sparking controversy and leading to a request for her to retake her oath.
Last year, Australia faced a significant defeat in a referendum aimed at granting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people constitutional recognition and establishing a body to advise Parliament on relevant issues. Dubbed the Voice, the proposal was enveloped in a contentious campaign, leaving future policy for Indigenous rights uncertain. Notably, while many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voters supported the measure, Thorpe was a vocal opponent, labeling it as merely tokenistic.
