‘Invasion Day’ protest: ‘Pay the rent’ critics called racist

The organisers of a Melbourne ‘Invasion Day’ protest have accused those asking questions about the fundraiser as ‘racist’.

NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The organisers of a Melbourne “Invasion Day” protest at which attendees were encouraged to “pay the rent” for living on “stolen land” have accused those asking questions about the governance of the fundraiser of being “racist”.

Tens of thousands of people marched from state parliament to Flinders Street Station on Sunday, protesting against the celebration of Australia Day on January 26

Buckets for cash collection, credit card facilities and online links were made available to attendees and other supporters who were told by protest organiser and Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman ­Meriki Onus: “Whether you live here, or in Gippsland, or up in Brisbane, you live on Aboriginal land, and you have an obligation to pay rent to the local blackfellas of that area.”

Ms Onus’s uncle, Aboriginal activist Robbie Thorpe, suggested 1 per cent of annual income would be an appropriate amount to ­donate to the fund, which is not a registered charity and is being ­administered by activist group Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance, of which Ms Onus and Mr Thorpe are members.

Ms Onus said the money would be put towards funerals for indigenous Victorians.

Ms Onus’s cousin, activist and former state Greens MP Lidia Thorpe, hit out at those who asked questions about where the money was going.

On Friday, Melbourne broadcaster Neil Mitchell interviewed Ms Thorpe, telling her Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance is “not the most credible organisation in the world” and asking, “where will the money go?”. On Sunday, Ms Thorpe hit back, to cheers from fellow protesters.

“For those questioning the governance of the pay-the-rent concept, how dare you? It is racist,” she said. “Why don’t you ask where everybody else is spending their money and what they’re using it for?

“We have a sophisticated governance system in place that our old people are in control of, like they should be.

“We have the oldest constitution on this planet, the oldest governance system on this planet, so if anyone wants to question how the money is being spent, then you need to talk to my old people, and you need to justify what you’re doing on stolen land.”

Ms Thorpe said the “pay-the- rent” concept was devised by indigenous elders in the 1970s.

“It’s a way we can self-determine and it’s a way you can help us to determine our future, ourself, our way,” she said.

In Sydney, thousands including NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker marched from the central business district to inner-west Camperdown chanting “change the date” and “always was, always will be Aboriginal land”.

Victoria Police said two men were arrested near the Melbourne protest on Sunday, both of whom were accused of breaching the peace as part of a counter-protest.

About 20 men wore T-shirts reading “Gov Arthur Phillip did nothing wrong” and holding signs saying “Australia Day should never be changed”.

The counter-protest group was persuaded by police to disperse before most of the “Invasion Day” protesters arrived.