Australian Senate Censures Senator Lidia Thorpe Amidst Indigenous Rights Protest During Royal Visit
November 18, 2024After the censure, Thorpe interrupted a debate to express her frustration over her exclusion from the discussion, questioning the fairness of the proceedings.
The controversy surrounding Thorpe coincides with backlash against Senator Ralph Babet, who was also censured for sharing racist and offensive remarks online, highlighting broader issues of hate speech in Australian politics.
As Australia continues to grapple with its colonial past, the censure of Thorpe and the reactions to her protest reflect the nation's ongoing struggles with reconciliation and the socio-economic challenges faced by its Indigenous population.
During her protest, Thorpe passionately demanded, 'Rendez-nous nos terres, rendez-nous ce que vous nous avez volé!' and declared, 'You are not my king,' reflecting deep-seated grievances regarding Indigenous rights.
Her protest garnered mixed reactions, with some political figures and Indigenous leaders criticizing her approach, while activists praised her for highlighting the ongoing disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australians.
The censure motion, supported by both the ruling Labor party and the opposition coalition, is largely symbolic and carries no legal consequences, yet it underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding Indigenous rights in Australia.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who initiated the censure, emphasized the importance of maintaining respect within parliamentary conduct, while also criticizing Thorpe's actions as attempts to incite outrage.
In a significant political move, Australian senators voted 46 to 12 to censure independent Senator Lidia Thorpe for her disruptive outburst during King Charles III's recent visit to Australia.
Wong described the censure as a reluctant action aimed at upholding parliamentary standards, attributing Thorpe's behavior to a desire for social media attention rather than substantive dialogue.
In response to the censure, Thorpe accused the Labor Party and the Coalition of collaborating against First Peoples' justice, asserting that the motion was a distraction from more pressing issues.
Thorpe reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for Indigenous rights, stating she would not be silenced and would continue to speak out against historical injustices.
Notably, Thorpe was absent during the censure vote due to flight delays from Melbourne, which she claimed prevented her from defending herself in the chamber.
Summary based on 12 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Nov 18, 2024
Lidia Thorpe defiant after Senate censures her protest against King Charles: ‘I’ll do it again’BBC News • Nov 18, 2024
Lidia Thorpe: Australia senator censured for 'not my King' heckleABC News • Nov 18, 2024
Australian senate censures Indigenous lawmaker who yelled at King Charles IIINBC News • Nov 18, 2024
Australian Senate censures Indigenous member for King Charles protest