Lidia Thorpe

2024 - 10 - 21

Lidia Thorpe vs. King Charles: Who's the Real Royal?

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Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe made waves by interrupting King Charles' royal reception with a powerful message. Is Australia ready for a new kind of monarchy?

In a stunning turn of events during King Charles III's visit to Canberra, Independent senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines by marching up the aisle of Parliament House to confront the monarch. Dressed in a striking possum cloak, she interrupted the King’s address, declaring loudly, "You are not our King! This is not your land!" This powerful protest captured the attention of those present and media outlets alike, drawing attention to the ongoing issues of Indigenous treaty rights in Australia.

Thorpe's bold actions came during a royal reception where the King was met with an audience eager to welcome him to the Australian capital. However, while some clapped and cheered, Thorpe's voice rang out as a reminder of Australia’s colonial history and Indigenous rights. Her interruption demanded attention not just for the moment, but for the broader conversation about representation, reparation, and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty in Australia. "Give us a treaty," she shouted, reflecting the deep-seated frustrations felt by many Aboriginal Australians.

The response to Thorpe’s protest was mixed, with supporters praising her for taking a stand and critics questioning the appropriateness of her approach. Nevertheless, her actions brought the conversation of monarchy and modern Australia into sharp focus. King Charles, who had just addressed the gathering in a rather traditional manner, faced a counter-narrative to the royal pomp that often overshadows such visits. In a country wrestling with its colonial past, Thorpe’s protest brought to light the ongoing fight for justice and recognition faced by Indigenous communities.

As tensions simmered, Thorpe was escorted out of the Great Hall, leaving behind a ripple of thought-provoking questions about the future of Australia's relationship with the British monarchy. This incident raises questions about what it truly means to represent a nation and who is accorded that honor.

Did you know that in 2023, Australia will hold discussions around the proposal of a Voice to Parliament, which seeks to establish a permanent Indigenous advisory body? This effort aims to better ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a say in policies that affect their lives. It seems that Thorpe's actions resonate with a wider, ongoing movement for empowerment and equality. Notably, King Charles himself has expressed support for Indigenous peoples globally and acknowledges the importance of addressing historical injustices, albeit slowly.

With all eyes now on Canberra, will this be the spark needed for a significant shift in Australia's dialogue around Indigenous rights, or are we in for another pause at the royal stop? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear – the conversations are becoming more daring and the stakes higher!

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Image courtesy of "SBS"

'You are not my King': Lidia Thorpe shouts at King Charles III (SBS)

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe interrupted a reception for the King and Queen taking place in Canberra.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

King Charles heckled by Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe at ... (The Guardian)

Independent senator yells 'this is not your country' and 'give us a treaty' at monarch during key event of king's five-day visit to Australia.

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Lidia Thorpe disrupts King Charles' reception to yell 'you are not my ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Senator Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall of Parliament House wearing a possum cloak after the King's address to the reception to tell ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Senator Lidia Thorpe interrupts royal reception for King Charles and ... (ABC News)

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe has interrupted a royal reception in Parliament House, yelling "you are are not our king" and "this is not your land" to ...

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Image courtesy of "The Australian Financial Review"

Royal visit Australia: Lidia Thorpe protests during King's speech (The Australian Financial Review)

Senator Lidia Thorpe escorted out of the Great Hall after disrupting King's reception; Hundreds greet King Charles and Queen Camilla. Follow live updates.

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Image courtesy of "9News"

'This is not your land': Senator Lidia Thorpe interrupts King Charles ... (9News)

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has interrupted King Charles' visit to Parliament House, calling out durin...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Lidia Thorpe heckles King Charles; new guidelines for 'forever ... (The Guardian)

Independent senator approaches stage at Parliament House and yells 'this is not your land' at the monarch.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

'This is not your land': Senator Lidia Thorpe shouts at King in ... (Sky News)

The King stopped short of the apology indigenous leaders had hoped for, but said he had "witnessed the courage and hope that have guided the nation's long ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Not my King, Australian senator Lidia Thorpe shouts at Charles (BBC News)

Senator interrupts ceremony in Australian capital city of Canberra on the second official day of royal engagements.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Australian lawmaker confronts British royals: 'You are not my king' (CNN)

Britain's King Charles II had just finished giving a speech to Australia's Parliament House on Monday when an Indigenous senator began yelling, “You are not ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Lidia Thorpe: who is the MP who accused King Charles of genocide ... (The Guardian)

The Indigenous senator's outburst is her highest-profile protest yet, bringing her face to face with her long-term adversary: the British monarchy.

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Image courtesy of "The Australian Financial Review"

King Charles function interrupted by Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe ... (The Australian Financial Review)

The former Greens senator disrupted an official reception at Parliament House, after turning her back on the royal visitors.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Australian senator heckles Charles: 'You are not my king' (The Washington Post)

Indigenous lawmaker Lidia Thorpe was removed from an event at Australia's Parliament after accusing the British royal family of “genocide” and stealing ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News Australia"

'Embarrassing': Senator Lidia Thorpe schooled after tantrum in ... (Sky News Australia)

A legal expert has schooled Senator Lidia Thorpe after her tantrum at Parliament House in the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Monday.

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Image courtesy of "ABC Message Stick"

Politicians face criticism over remarks on Lidia Thorpe's ... (ABC Message Stick)

Politicians on both sides of parliament attack Lidia Thorpe's disruption of a ceremony for King Charles. But on Q+A, one Indigenous man urged them to ...

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Lidia Thorpe: Who is the Indigenous Australian MP who accused ... (The Independent)

Ms Thorpe, an Indigenous woman from Victoria, has long advocated for a treaty between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to recognise their autonomy and ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Why Australian senator Lidia Thorpe heckled King Charles (BBC News)

Lidia Thorpe explained why she heckled the monarch to the BBC's Katy Watson, on his second day of engagements.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Not my King, Australian senator Lidia Thorpe shouts at Charles (BBC News)

Senator interrupts ceremony in Australian capital city of Canberra on the second official day of royal engagements.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

King Charles III Heckled by Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous Australian ... (The New York Times)

King Charles, visiting the former British colony where he retains the ceremonial title of head of state, was shouted at by an Indigenous Australian senator.

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Liberals weigh censure motion against Lidia Thorpe (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Senior Coalition MPs are considering a censure motion against independent senator Lidia Thorpe after the maverick politician yelled at King Charles.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

British PM defends King Charles after Lidia Thorpe's protest makes ... (ABC News)

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praises King Charles III, saying he is doing a "fantastic job", after the monarch was heckled by independent senator ...

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Hard truth about Lidia's King outburst (NEWS.com.au)

Nobody is forcing Senator Lidia Thorpe to take the $217,000 annual salary and other privileges courtesy of the taxpayer, writes Caleb Bond.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Indigenous elder scolds Lidia Thorpe for yelling 'disrespectful ... (The Guardian)

Aunty Violet Sheridan says the Victorian senator 'does not speak for me and my people' and called yelling of 'fuck the colony' inappropriate.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

With her protest before the king, Lidia Thorpe bursts the warm ... (The Guardian)

Charles and Camilla entered the Great Hall from a door behind the stage – not from the foyer, down the centre aisle, and past Thorpe. Now we may know why.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Peter Dutton says Lidia Thorpe should resign in principle after interrupting King Charles (ABC News)

Senator Thorpe, a Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman, was escorted from Parliament's Great Hall by security after her interjection, in which she accused the monarchy of "genocide against our people". Mr Dutton said it had "overshadowed" the king's ...

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Image courtesy of "The North West Star"

'I wanted the world to know': Lidia Thorpe on tirade (The North West Star)

Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe has justified her roundly criticised protest action against King Charles, saying she had written to the monarch multiple times ...

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Image courtesy of "SBS"

'Embarrassing and disrespectful': Lidia Thorpe faces backlash over ... (SBS)

Senator Lidia Thorpe has explained why she was forced to heckle King Charles III during his visit amid fierce criticism over her protest.

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Image courtesy of "National Indigenous Times"

'I wanted the world to know': Lidia Thorpe on tirade (National Indigenous Times)

Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe has justified her roundly criticised protest action against King Charles, saying she had written to the monarch multip...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Lidia Thorpe shrugs off Dutton's call to resign, saying she's looking ... (The Guardian)

Independent senator, who made international headlines for heckling King Charles about Indigenous injustices, says people should 'get used to truth-telling'

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Australia news LIVE: Lidia Thorpe defends protest after criticism ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Coal will power Australia for decades to come under a Coalition government, as opposition energy spokesman Ted O'Brien calls for a “coal-to-nuclear” ...

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Image courtesy of "The Age"

Australia news LIVE: Lidia Thorpe defends protest after criticism ... (The Age)

Maverick Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe does not care if her stunts end her parliamentary career, declaring people must “get used to truth-telling”, as she ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

'Not really accurate' to 'very ballsy': First Nations Australians react to ... (ABC News)

When independent senator Lidia Thorpe was escorted out of Canberra's Parliament House after confronting King Charles III, some First Nations people were ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Stuntwoman Lidia Thorpe gets the headlines, but won't get outcomes (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne no doubt spoke for many Australians when he rubbished Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe over her right royal protest in ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Peter Dutton says Lidia Thorpe should resign on principle after ... (ABC News)

The senator said she felt she had no other way to convey her message after not being granted an audience with the king.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

'You're not my king': Lidia Thorpe escorted away after outburst (ABC News)

Follow the latest news headlines from Australia's most trusted source. Read in-depth expert analysis and watch live coverage on ABC News.

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Image courtesy of "WAtoday"

As it happened: Lidia Thorpe defends protest after criticism; Former ... (WAtoday)

Coal will power Australia for decades to come under a Coalition government, as opposition energy spokesman Ted O'Brien calls for a “coal-to-nuclear” ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Lidia Thorpe: King-heckling row grows as violent image taken down (BBC News)

Some Indigenous leaders criticise a senator who heckled the King, as she removes a violent image posted online.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Australian senator Lidia Thorpe confronted King Charles with a ... (The Guardian)

The Gurnai Gunditjmara and Djab-Wurrung woman accused the crown of a range of crimes against Indigenous people at Parliament House.

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