Lidia Thorpe interrupted the monarch’s official welcome to Canberra with accusations of “genocide” committed by colonialists, overshadowing the King’s speech.
Shortly after, she posted the controversial cartoon on Instagram, which features King Charles’ head next to a crown. The artwork was created by Matt Chun, co-editor of The Sunday Paper.
During the same event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hinted at his hopes for Australia to become a republic, telling the King, “Nothing stands still.”
While King Charles and Queen Camilla have encountered minor protests throughout their tour, including banners calling for “decolonisation,” Ms. Thorpe’s public outburst is seen as particularly significant.
This marks the King’s first official visit to Australia since ascending the throne.
Following the King’s address at Parliament House, Ms. Thorpe, dressed in a possum-skin cloak and carrying a traditional message stick, loudly proclaimed, “You are not our King, you are not sovereign. You have committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back … our babies, our people. You destroyed our land.”
As security gently escorted her out, she continued to shout, “Give us a treaty. We want a treaty with this country … This is not your land, you are not our King.”
