“You committed genocide against our people,” Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe Yells at King Charles III.
CANBERRA: During visit to Australia, King Charles III faced protests from Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who declared, “This is not your land. You are not my king,” while accusing the British royal family of genocide and demanding reparations for Indigenous peoples. Thorpe was escorted from a parliamentary reception after passionately expressing her anger over the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed Thorpe’s sentiments, suggesting that it was time for Australia to move towards becoming a republic with an Australian head of state. Although acknowledging King Charles’ respect for Australians, he stated, “Nothing stands still,” implying that the country’s relationship with the monarchy should evolve.
The political divide on this issue was highlighted by the absence of all six state leaders from the reception, as they expressed a preference for an Australian citizen to serve as head of state. Opposition leader Peter Dutton, who supports maintaining ties with the monarchy, noted the irony in the attendance of republic supporters at the royal event.
During his speech, King Charles acknowledged the traditional owners of the land, the Ngunnawal people, and expressed gratitude for their shared stories and cultures. His visit comes at a time when debates over Australia’s constitutional future are reignited, especially following a failed 1999 referendum to transition to a republic.
While Albanese has ruled out a new referendum during his current term, discussions about Australia’s future relationship with the British monarchy continue, especially as King Charles embarks on his first official visit since becoming king in 2022, following his late mother’s last visit in 2011. Following engagements in Canberra, Charles is set to travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe yells at King Charles after he finished giving a speech at the Australian Parliament:
“You committed genocide against our people, give us our land back! Give us what you stole from us! You are not our King!”
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 21, 2024
