Thorpe’s fiery protest drowns out King’s climate change speech, angers guests

An angry protest over Aboriginal sovereignty disrupted a parliamentary reception for King Charles III on Monday, moments after he cited the “wisdom of Indigenous people” in a call for stronger action on climate change.

Victorian independent senator Lidia Thorpe strode through the Great Hall of Parliament House after the King’s speech to tell him she did not accept his sovereignty and that he shared responsibility for genocide.

The King’s address combined light-hearted memories of his time as a school student in Australia – such as the brown snakes, leeches and spiders he encountered – with a serious message about the opportunity for the country to take a lead on climate change.

But the message was overshadowed as soon as he resumed his seat alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, when Thorpe left her position at the rear of the assembled guests and demanded a treaty for First Australians.

“You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she called out.

“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us — our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.”

The King greets the public has he leaves Parliament House. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The protest was greeted with silence from hundreds of guests as security staff stopped Thorpe from approaching the podium, where the King spoke quietly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while the officials escorted her from the event.

Thorpe appeared to take security officials by surprise despite having altercations with police at events with the royal couple in Canberra earlier in the day.

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds was standing next to Thorpe in the Great Hall and said she suspected the Indigenous senator would call out during the proceedings.

“I knew she was going to do something but I thought she would do it when the King walked past at the end,” she said.

While the King has drawn criticism from conservatives such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for advocating action on climate change, he made the issue a key theme of his address.

He told the guests that natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and fires were growing in magnitude and ferocity.

“This is why Australia’s international leadership on global initiatives to protect our climate and biodiversity is of such absolute and critical importance,” he said.

“Australia is tracking the path towards a better, safer future.

“It is in all our interest to be good stewards of the world and good ancestors to those who come after us, because we are all connected, both as a global community and in all that sustains life.

“That is the timeless wisdom of indigenous people throughout the entire world, from which each one of us can benefit.”

The King’s speech emphasised Australian resilience in the face of climate change. Credit: AP

Albanese welcomed the royal couple with a quip about the “formative experience” of the King’s appearance on the ABC’s Countdown in 1977, but also ventured into serious issues including the environment.

“You have long apprehended the grave reality of climate change,” Albanese told the monarch.

“You take seriously the threat that it represents, as well as the necessity – and, crucially, the capability – of humanity to take meaningful and effective action against it.”

Albanese told the King that attending the coronation in London last year had been “one of the honours of my life” but he also mentioned the Australian debate over breaking with the monarchy.

“You have shown great respect for Australians, even during times when we have debated the future of our own constitutional arrangements and the nature of our relationship with the crown,” the prime minister said.

“Nothing stands still. The Australia you first knew has grown and evolved in so many ways.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed the hope that the King’s visit to Australia might help to lift his spirits during his ongoing treatment for cancer.

“People have had haircuts, people have shined shoes, suits have been pressed – and that’s just the republicans,” he said. That drew the loudest laugh from the guests as well as smiles from the royal couple.

While the protest made headlines during the live coverage of the reception, the royal couple’s busy day continued roughly on schedule.

The Queen met domestic violence campaigners at Government House, where she sat alongside prominent survivor Rosie Batty, whom she had met previously in 2016.

The couple finished the day at CSIRO and the Australian Botanic Gardens, where the climate change message was reinforced.

The Queen sat with domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty as she discussed what must be done at a round table organised by the Governor General Sam Mostyn.Credit: Getty Images

Jess Fox, the kayaker who has won six medals at four Olympic games, spoke to the King about her first games in London in 2012.

“He was very lovely, and I welcomed him back to Australia,” she said afterwards.

Swimmer Ariarne Titmus spoke to Queen Camilla, who told her she had watched the Australian champion win gold at the Paris Olympics.

“She said she loves watching the swimming,” Titmus said. “I was actually very nervous to meet her – I love the royals – but she made me feel at ease, and it was honestly a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”

A senior Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Violet, greeted their majesties and guests with a Welcome to Country, joined by the Wiradjuri Echoes, a family-run group that teaches Indigenous dancing and culture. The Australian National Anthem was sung by the Woden Valley Youth Choir in English and Ngunnawal.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, one of the guests at the reception, expressed his dismay at the protest.

“It’s unfortunate political exhibitionism, that’s all I’d say,” he said.

Another of the guests, Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne, was highly critical of Thorpe for disrupting the reception.

“I was absolutely amazed that she got through the door,” he said. “That was uncalled for and un-Australian.”

But another guest, businessman Dick Smith, said the disruption was an aspect of Australian democracy.

“I think that’s the wonderful part of our democracy – that she’s not going to be put in jail,” he said.

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