As independent Senator Lidia Thorpe‘s confrontation with King Charles III makes global headlines, everyone and their dog is giving their two cents on what the politician should do following the stunt. While some are calling for Thorpe to resign, and others applaud her bravery, the senator has said she has no regrets.
Head of the British Royal Family, King of Australia, and aspiring tampon King Charles was in Canberra’s Parliament House on Monday to give a royal address, when he was suddenly interrupted by the Indigenous independent senator.
Thorpe’s outburst where she declared that Charles and the British empire “destroyed our land” and “committed genocide” against First Nations people has gained international attention — which is the whole point of a publicity stunt.
King Charles protester Lidia Thorpe, a Victoria Senator interrupts the great hall after speech pic.twitter.com/d02hoKW1rh
— Kate Mansey (@KateMansey) October 21, 2024
Liberals and Peter Dutton condemn Lidia Thorpe
In response to the royal heckling, a whole bunch of people got very upset and condemned Lidia Thorpe for her “disrespectful” display.
Many got on their moral high horse and began lecturing on the importance of being polite, and finding nicer ways to tell someone that they have effectively built an empire on the blood of Australia’s Indigenous population with little-to-zero consequences.
Leader of the Opposition and man who knows exactly what Indigenous Aussies want, Peter Dutton, has come out publicly to call for Thorpe to resign from politics “on principle”.
“I think there’s a very strong argument for somebody who doesn’t believe in the system but is willing to take a quarter of a million dollars a year from the system to resign in principle,” Dutton told Sunrise, in reference to how much money politicians are paid.
“If you were truly about your cause and not yourself, I think that’s a decision you would make.”
Because if there’s anyone who we should look to for advice for acting on principle, it’s the man who said no to the Voice To Parliament because it lacked detail, but wants to build nuclear power plants without any plans.
Senior members of the Liberal Party are considering a censure motion against Thorpe — which is essentially just them saying: “We disagree with that thing that you did”. Like when Scott Morrison was censured for his secret ministry appointments.
Lidia Thorpe doubles down on King Charles stunt
Speaking to ABC RN the morning after the controversial protest, Lidia Thorpe explained what had led her to crash the event and express her anti-monarchy and anti-colonial sentiments.
“I’ve written to the King a number of times. He’s ignored me every time I wanted to have a respectful conversation and meeting about the plight of our people,” said Thorpe.
“That wasn’t afforded to me, so I did that for my people.”
When asked about how her method for taking a stand has been received negatively by many, the senator said that there weren’t many other options left for her.
“My approach unfortunately might upset a few people, but how else do you get your message across when we’re consistently shut down?” Thorpe asked.
As for the chances of her resigning at Dutton’s request, well…
“I really don’t care what Dutton says, I’m going to be in this job for another three and a half years and I’m not looking to be re-elected, I’m looking to get justice for my people,” she said.
Advocates support Lidia Thorpe’s protest
Lawyer and Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts took to social media to express solidarity with Thorpe’s action in a statement that has since gone viral.
Turnbull-Roberts said she was “thankful to have a leader like Thorpe” and emphasised the importance of her call for a Treaty from the King.
“What Senator Thorpe is demanding is what mob are demanding,” she wrote.
“There is nothing more harmful or disrespectful than inviting the monarchy who has inflicted the genocide on our people. We don’t celebrate genocide, the removal of our babies, or the harm against anyone.
“When Thorpe speaks, she’s got the ancestors right with her.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have continued their tour of their cute little colony by visiting Sydney today.
Lead Image: Getty
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