Australia is no stranger to political heat, but the recent censure of Senator Lidia Thorpe has ignited particularly sharp controversy. After the Indigenous senator vocalized her opposition to King Charles III during his visit to Australia, the Australian Senate decided to take action. On November 17, 2024, lawmakers voted 46 to 12 to censure Thorpe for her conduct, which they deemed unacceptable during the monarch's parliamentary visit.
Thorpe's outburst occurred at Parliament House during the King’s highly publicized reception, marking his first official visit to Australia since ascending the throne. The event was supposed to be ceremonial and cordial, but instead, Thorpe seized the moment to express her dissent directly. Reportedly, after the King finished his speech, she launched herself at him, yelling, “You are not our king. You are not sovereign.” This was not just idle heckling; her passionate remarks extended to historical grievances, asserting, “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.”
Thorpe’s comments struck deep chords across the political spectrum, illuminating the fraught relationship between the Australian government, its Indigenous population, and the historical legacy of colonialism. Her actions represent more than just the feelings of one individual; they resonate with the voices of many who continue to seek recognition and justice for past wrongs.
Penny Wong, the leader of the Australian government in the Senate, articulated the rationale behind the censure, stating, “This is part of a trend we do not need here in Australia.” Wong characterized Thorpe's actions as an attempt to incite outrage and grievance, asserting the need for decorum, especially during formal visits from foreign dignitaries.
Despite the censure, Thorpe stood firm and unapologetic. Speaking to reporters following the Senate's decision, she declared, “If the colonizing king were to come to my country again, our country, then I’ll do it again.” Hers was not just defiance but also a pledge to continue advocating for her fellow Indigenous Australians and calling attention to their plight. “I will keep doing it. I will resist colonization,” she vowed, making clear her commitment to what she perceives as the real sovereigns of Australia: the First Peoples.
Notably, Thorpe was not present for the vote itself, arriving late from Melbourne. An outcry was heard from her supporters and members of other political factions, particularly from the Greens party, where Senator Mehreen Faruqi voiced her discontent with the censure motion. Faruqi questioned the motivations behind the censure, arguing it perpetuates the “bubble of white privilege” prevalent within the parliament. She insisted the censure targeted truth-telling about the historical atrocities committed by the British crown against Indigenous peoples.
The clash between Thorpe’s passionate representation of Indigenous issues and the Senate's swift censure raises questions about the nature of political discourse and accountability within Australia. Supporters of Thorpe highlight the importance of speaking truth to power, especially concerning the generations of trauma endured by Indigenous Australians due to colonization.
With the indigenous discourse at the forefront, the censure also invites broader inquiry about how political institutions handle dissent and criticism. Her actions during King Charles's visit created ripples far beyond the Senate chamber, sparking conversation among Australians about the legacies of colonialism, reconciliation, and national identity.
Thorpe’s interruptions may have disrupted the royal visit, but they also shine sunlight on these urgent conversations. The censure might have been intended as punishment, but for many, it simply amplifies the very issues Thorpe raised: the recognition of Indigenous rights and the acknowledgment of Australia’s colonial past. Moving forward, the dialogue surrounding these topics is likely to grow more pronounced, as individuals and communities demand acknowledgment, respect, and justice.
Whether Thorpe’s actions will lead to meaningful change or simply more political backlash remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly have reignited debates about the voice and place of Indigenous peoples within the Australian narrative. The Australian Senate may have silenced one voice for now, but the call for justice and recognition of Indigenous peoples will likely echo on, challenging the status quo and demanding accountability.
