Senator Lidia Thorpe has sparked controversy by sharing a cartoon on Instagram depicting a beheaded King Charles, following her vocal confrontation with the monarch in the Australian parliament. The independent politician, known for her advocacy for Indigenous rights, made a fiery address during King Charles’ royal reception in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
In her impassioned speech, Thorpe declared, “You are not my king,” accusing King Charles of perpetrating genocide against Indigenous peoples and calling for a treaty between Australia’s First Nations and the government. After the incident, she took to social media to reiterate her stance, posting a cartoon shared by artist Matt Chun showing the beheaded monarch with a caption echoing her words of defiance towards the King.
The cartoon post also included a video of Thorpe’s confrontation with King Charles in Canberra, where she demanded the return of stolen Indigenous lands and remains. Despite being escorted out of the chamber after her outburst, Thorpe stood by her actions, stating that accountability for historical atrocities committed against Aboriginal people is long overdue.
Thorpe, a prominent Indigenous rights advocate from Victoria, has consistently championed the need for a treaty to address past injustices and recognise the autonomy of Aboriginal Australians. She criticised the King for not acknowledging the violent legacy of colonialism in Australia and called for genuine dialogue towards reconciliation.
The royal visit to Australia has been marked by subdued protests calling for decolonisation and highlighting the lack of a formal treaty between the government and Indigenous communities. While the King remained composed during Thorpe’s disruption, focusing on official engagements, the incident underscored the unresolved tensions around Australia’s colonial past and ongoing Indigenous rights struggles.
As Thorpe continues to push for recognition and justice for Aboriginal peoples, her bold actions in parliament and on social media have reignited discussions about historical injustices and the urgent need for Indigenous sovereignty and reconciliation in Australia.