Lidia Thorpe, Indigenous Activist, Censured for Protest Against King Charles
Thorpe, a proud Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung woman, faced condemnation from the upper house this morning for her “disrespectful and disruptive” actions. However, the independent senator expressed that the motion would not deter her from future protests.
“If the colonizing king were to come to my country again, our country, then I’ll do it again,” she defiantly stated to reporters. “And I will keep doing it. I will resist colonization in this country. I swear my allegiance to the real sovereigns of these lands, First Peoples are the real sovereigns.”
Despite the censure, Thorpe ripped up a copy of the motion, declaring, “I don’t give a damn about the censure motion. In fact, I’m going to use it for kindling later on in the week.” She criticized the fact that for “standing up against the colony,” she received the same reprimand that Babet faced for his “very racist and disrespectful comments.”
“So I think that again is the racism of the chamber,” she asserted.
Thorpe had disrupted proceedings after King Charles addressed Parliament House, demanding, “give us our land back,” “not your land,” and “you are not my king. You are not our king.” She also called for the king to “give us a treaty” and exclaimed “f— the colony” as she was escorted out of the Great Hall.
Babet Reprimanded for ‘Repugnant’ Remarks
United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet also faced censure this morning, particularly for his “inflammatory use of hate speech, designed to drive division for his own political benefit.”
As part of the motion, the government and opposition affirmed that “Australians, no matter their race, religion, gender, sex, or sexuality, are valued, welcome members of our society.”
The reprimand came after Babet utilized racist and discriminatory language in various posts on social media last week.
Senior opposition senator Simon Birmingham labeled Babet’s comments as “repugnant (and) abhorrent,” while Foreign Minister Penny Wong described them as “frankly hateful about our fellow Australians.”
Neither Thorpe nor Babet were present in the Senate when they were censured, both experiencing delays and cancellations due to Qantas flight issues for the final sitting fortnight of the year.
Thorpe arrived shortly after the motion against her was passed and voiced her displeasure, questioning, “Why wasn’t I allowed to be here? Shame on you all.”
Nationals senator Matt Canavan voted against the motions due to the absence of Thorpe and Babet.
“I would have supported the censure motions this morning but the government has brought them on without the senators here to hear the arguments against them or defend themselves,” he expressed on social media. “This can only be described as a kangaroo court process.”
While censure motions usually have minimal practical impacts, today’s may prevent Thorpe from participating in an upcoming parliamentary visit to Fiji and Tuvalu.
Conclusion
Lidia Thorpe and Ralph Babet have both faced censure for their actions and remarks, sparking discussions on racism, colonialism, and the treatment of Indigenous peoples and minority groups in Australia. The incidents highlight ongoing tensions and challenges within the political landscape and society at large.
FAQ
What were Lidia Thorpe and Ralph Babet censured for?
Lidia Thorpe was censured for her disruptive protest against King Charles, while Ralph Babet faced reprimand for using hate speech and discriminatory language.
What were the reactions to the censure motions?
Various senators and officials condemned Thorpe and Babet’s actions, with some labeling them as racist, abhorrent, and divisive.