Australian Senator Rebukes King Charles III Amid Growing Republican Sentiments
Canberra, Australia — In a stark illustration of Australia’s evolving relationship with the British monarchy, Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines with a fiery declaration against King Charles III, stating he was "not my king." This incident occurred during the monarch’s speech at the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, marking a tumultuous response to his historic visit to Australia, the first by a reigning British monarch in over a decade.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s five-day visit comes at a critical juncture as Australia grapples with its colonial legacy and contemplates the future of its constitutional monarchy. This conversation has gained momentum in recent years, especially following last year’s landmark referendum addressing Indigenous representation and recognition. However, the proposal to acknowledge Aboriginal people in Australia’s constitution and create a body for Indigenous affairs met with rejection across the nation’s six states.
Thorpe, an outspoken senator representing Victoria, interrupted the king’s address to Parliament, demanding reparations for historical injustices. "You are not our king. You are not our sovereign. You committed genocide against our people," Thorpe proclaimed, before being escorted out by security. Her protest reflects deeper societal tensions regarding Australia’s colonial past and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Outside Parliament, Thorpe reiterated her stance to media outlets, emphasizing a need for an independent national identity. "We’ll continue to resist the colony until we have a peacemaking treaty where we can celebrate this country together. We don’t need a king from another country to dictate to us what we do here," she stated.
Australia’s history as part of the British Empire extends over more than a century of colonial rule before gaining full legislative independence in 1986. Yet, the symbolic presence of the British monarch as head of state continues to be a point of contention. The debate over Australia’s constitutional ties to Britain has periodically resurfaced, most notably during the 1999 referendum when Australians opted to maintain the monarchy rather than transition to a republic.
Senator Thorpe’s bold statements serve as a reminder of the divisions within Australian society regarding its colonial ties and highlight a growing call for reevaluating national sovereignty and identity. As discussions about the country’s constitutional future develop, Australia stands at a crossroads between maintaining historical ties and forging a new, independent path.
