On November 2024, Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines after she was censured by the Senate for her protest during the official address of King Charles III, marking a dramatic moment in the ongoing debate around Australia’s colonial legacy and its relationship with the British monarchy. Thorpe’s defiant stance and refusal to back down underscore her deep-rooted beliefs in the need for Australia to sever its ties with the monarchy and address the historic wrongs endured by Indigenous communities.
Thorpe’s protest, her subsequent censure, and her unwavering response to it offer a snapshot into a broader, complex conversation about identity, power, and the future of Australia. In this article, we explore the circumstances surrounding Thorpe’s protest, the Senate’s response, and the wider implications of her actions in the context of Indigenous rights and Australia’s republican debate.
The Protest: A Bold Act of Defiance
Lidia Thorpe, a prominent Indigenous leader and member of the Australian Greens, has long been an outspoken critic of the British monarchy’s historical treatment of Indigenous peoples in Australia. On November 2024, during King Charles III’s address to the Australian Parliament, Thorpe staged a dramatic protest. As the King was being welcomed in a formal ceremony, Thorpe stood up, raised her fist, and made an audible statement. While her specific words were not immediately clear, her gesture—a symbolic display of resistance—spoke volumes about her dissatisfaction with the ongoing recognition of a monarchy that, in her view, embodies the historical oppression of Indigenous Australians.
Thorpe’s protest was not an isolated act. She has been vocal about her stance on Australia’s colonial past, often highlighting the ongoing impacts of colonization on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Her actions were a direct challenge to the continued role of the British monarchy in Australian life, especially considering the symbolic weight of King Charles’ visit.
Thorpe’s protest echoed a sentiment that has been growing within certain sectors of Australian society—the desire to address the injustices of colonization and push for true sovereignty and justice for Indigenous peoples. For many, the monarchy is a reminder of centuries of dispossession, violence, and disregard for the rights of the first Australians.
The Senate Censures Thorpe
In response to her actions, the Senate took swift and decisive action, passing a motion to formally censure Thorpe for her protest. The motion, which was supported by members of the major parties, condemned her for disrespecting the royal visit and the formal proceedings of the Australian Parliament. The censure was a stark reminder of the institutional resistance Thorpe faces within the halls of power.
The motion to censure Thorpe highlighted the growing divide between those who view her actions as a justified form of protest against systemic injustice and those who see them as a breach of parliamentary decorum. The censure also underscored the ongoing tension between Thorpe’s fierce activism and the political establishment, which remains heavily invested in maintaining the monarchy’s position in Australian society.
Despite the formal reprimand, Thorpe remained defiant. She refused to apologize for her actions, maintaining that she had acted in accordance with her conscience and her commitment to standing up for Indigenous rights. “I will do it again,” Thorpe stated in the aftermath of the censure, making it clear that she would not back down from challenging the symbols and structures she believes perpetuate inequality.
Her remarks were a powerful declaration of independence from the political establishment and a statement of solidarity with those who continue to suffer under the legacies of colonialism. Thorpe’s refusal to apologize was not just a defense of her personal actions, but a rallying cry for others who feel similarly marginalized and oppressed by the state.
The Significance of the Protest
Thorpe’s protest and the subsequent censure were more than just a moment of political drama. They represent a key point in the ongoing debate about Australia’s identity and its future direction. The monarchy, as a symbol of colonial power, remains a deeply divisive issue in Australian politics. While there are many who support Australia’s ties to the British monarchy, there is a growing faction calling for the country to become a republic—an independent nation with an Australian head of state.
For Thorpe and many Indigenous Australians, the monarchy symbolizes centuries of exploitation, land dispossession, and cultural erasure. To them, the British crown is not just a historical artifact, but a living, breathing institution that continues to uphold systems of inequality and injustice. Thorpe’s protest, therefore, is part of a larger movement that seeks to decolonize Australia, dismantling the symbols of oppression that continue to hold sway in national life.
The protest also highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice for Indigenous peoples in Australia. The monarchy, as a symbol of colonial authority, is closely tied to the historic and ongoing marginalization of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. For Thorpe and other Indigenous activists, challenging the monarchy is part of a broader effort to seek justice, reparations, and recognition for the wrongs done to their people.
Thorpe’s protest occurred within the context of a broader push for constitutional reform, including the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This proposal, which seeks to give Indigenous Australians a direct say in the legislative process, is a central part of the current political debate. Thorpe’s protest could be seen as part of this larger movement for change, where symbols of oppression are called into question, and new paths forward are sought.
Public Reactions and Backlash
The public response to Thorpe’s protest was mixed. Supporters of her actions praised her courage and commitment to Indigenous rights, viewing her protest as a necessary disruption to a system that has long ignored the needs and voices of Indigenous Australians. To them, Thorpe’s actions were a reminder that the struggle for justice is ongoing and that it requires bold and disruptive actions.
On the other hand, many political commentators and members of the public criticized Thorpe’s protest, arguing that it was disrespectful and inappropriate given the context of the royal visit. Some saw it as a breach of parliamentary etiquette and a disruption to the formal occasion. The censure motion passed by the Senate was widely seen as a condemnation of her behavior, and some commentators voiced concerns that her actions could deepen the divides within Australian society.
Thorpe, however, remained undeterred by the criticism. She made it clear that her actions were not about disrespecting individuals but about challenging the systems that have perpetuated injustice for Indigenous Australians. Her defiance in the face of institutional pushback reflects her broader commitment to advocating for her community and challenging the status quo.
The Way Forward: Thorpe’s Legacy and Australia’s Future
Lidia Thorpe’s protest and her defiant response to the Senate’s censure are emblematic of the tensions that define Australia’s struggle with its colonial past and its path forward as a nation. Thorpe’s actions force a reckoning with the symbols of colonial power that still influence Australian society, including the monarchy.
As Australia continues to grapple with questions of sovereignty, reconciliation, and identity, Thorpe’s activism will likely remain a significant voice in the conversation. Her stance represents a challenge to those who wish to maintain the status quo and a call for a new, more inclusive vision of the nation—one that fully acknowledges its history and works towards justice for Indigenous Australians.
For Thorpe, the fight is far from over. In her words, “I’ll do it again,” underscoring her unwavering commitment to standing up for Indigenous rights and challenging the colonial institutions that continue to shape Australian society. Her protest is a call to action, urging all Australians to reflect on the nation’s past and its future.
