“The Australian Senate condemned the senator for shouting at King Charles III The Australian Senate voted to convict the Aboriginal senator Lydia Thorpe, who publicly spoke out against King Charles III. The vote of no confidence deprived her of the right to represent the chamber in delegations.”, — write on: unn.ua
Details
Lydia Thorpe shouted “you are not my king” and “this is not your land” shortly after the king addressed the Great Hall of Parliament in an attempt to highlight the effects of British colonisation.
The Senate censure, passed by a vote of 46 to 12, described Thorpe’s actions as “disrespectful and subversive” and said they should disqualify her from representing the chamber as a member of any delegation.
A vote of no confidence is politically symbolic, but has no constitutional or legal weight.
Shortly after the Senate vote on Monday, Thorpe told reporters that she had been denied the right to address the chamber because of a flight delay.
“The British crown has committed heinous crimes against the indigenous peoples of this country… I will not remain silent,” said the independent senator.
Her protest last month drew immediate ire from political circles, as well as some prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
But it also drew praise from some campaigners who argued it highlighted the plight of Australia’s first inhabitants, who survived colonial violence and continue to face serious disadvantages in terms of health, welfare, education and life expectancy compared to with non-indigenous Australians.
Despite the protests, the King has been warmly welcomed by Australian crowds during his five-day tour with Queen Camilla.
Last year, Australia strongly rejected a proposal to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people constitutional recognition and allow them to create a body to advise parliament on issues affecting their community.
“You are not our king!”: Aboriginal senator challenged King Charles in AustraliaOctober 21 2024, 07:27 • 14400 views